Rain claims 3 lives

Heavy rain accompanied by lighting in the Visakha Agency on Sunday, claimed the lives of three persons, according to reports reaching here.

A 17-year-old youth from Rudichintala Veedhi village in Chintapalli mandal, V. Sai Prasad who came to Paderu to witness the Sri Modakondamma jatara, died when he was struck by lighting near RTC complex during the heavy rain that lashed the Revenue Divisional headquarters in the afternoon.

Two villagers engaged in the Mahatma Gandhi NREGS lost their lives at Rangaseela in Hukumpeta mandal. Sanireddy Vruddu (45) and Gunta Saddu (60) were struck by lighting while taking shelter from the rain under a tree.