Guwahati, July 13: Lightning injured nearly 10 persons in the Khanapara area of Guwahati this afternoon. Two of the injured were identified as Azhar Ahmed and Sabita Das.

While Das sustained minor injuries, Ahmed was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Six Mile unit of the GNRC Hospitals. Das was also treated at the same hospital.

An official at Dispur police station said the incident took place near the College of Veterinary Science around 4pm. Local residents rushed the injured to different private hospitals.

“A police team is visiting different hospitals to find out the injured and identify them. Therefore, it will take sometime to figure out the exact number of the injured,” the official said.

Sabita, a resident of Narengi, who fell unconscious for a few minutes soon after lightning struck, said when she regained consciousness she saw some persons lying on the road.

“I was slightly hurt as I fell on the road. The incident took place after I got down from a trekker near the veterinary college. Azhar was lying just beside me and I immediately took him to the nearby GNRC Hospitals,” she said.

Doctors attending on Azhar said he had sustained injuries on his chest and back. His condition is stated to be stable. “He was admitted to the ICU for round-the-clock observation,” the doctor added.

H.N. Das, senior meteorologist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Borjhar, said, “The intensity and frequency of lightning is more in the city this time because of atmospheric factors. More such incidents could take place as the monsoon will be at its peak in the coming days.”

“Lightning can cause death or various injuries. So one must be careful and take shelter while outside when lightning strikes,” Das said.