Thunderstorms Kill Three in Anakapalli District

 Visakhapatnam: Three persons were killed in separate incidents after thunderstorms accompanied by gale winds lashed Anakapalli district on Saturday.

Officials said winds with speeds of 60 to 70 kmph uprooted trees and electricity poles in several parts of the district.

Two agricultural workers, identified as Sankarayya and Erukayya of Satyavaram village under Payakaraopeta mandal, died on the spot after an uprooted coconut tree fell on them while they were on their way to work in the fields.

Police rushed to the spot, removed the fallen tree and shifted the bodies to hospital for post-mortem examination.

In another incident, a man identified as Veerayya died after an electric pole collapsed on him at Nakkapalli.

Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha expressed shock over the deaths and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.

She said the government would provide compensation to the victims’ families and advised people not to take shelter under trees, hoardings or electricity poles during storms.