Gloom descends on Mankada as people pay last respects to lightning victims

PERINTHALMANNA: The locality gave a tearful farewell to the four students struck by lightning at the Vellila Kurangan Chola View Point in Mankada. The bodies were kept for public viewing at the Vellila Tusker Auditorium from 10 am to 1 pm. A large crowd, including classmates, arrived to pay last respects. Many struggled to hold back tears.

The bodies were then taken to their respective homes and buried in nearby graves at the Vellila Malayil Juma Masjid at 2.30 pm.

Rahees (20), son of Ali of Pudukudi Malayil; Bahas (18), son of Saeedalvi of Puthenveetil Malayil, Koorimannil; Muhammad Siad (18), son of Aziz of Alikkaparambil, and Fahad (22), son of Nisar of Karuthankuthil, all natives of Mankada Vellila, died tragically after being struck by lightning the other day.

The hospital authorities said that the health condition of the three injured people undergoing treatment is improving. Salmanul Faris (22), a native of Vellila, and Muhammed Roshan (20), son of Nisar Babu, a native of Vellila, do not have any serious health problems and have started taking food. Ishhat (19), son of Mushtaq, a resident of Malayil, has been removed from the ventilator.

The Vellila Kurangan Chola View Point is the most sought-after evening getaway spot for Mankada natives. The viewpoint is on the slopes of the Pandallur mountain. There has been an increase in the number of tourists coming here over the last two days due to the vacation season and summer rains. The main attraction of this place is the overcast atmosphere during the rains. Since the spot is located at a high altitude, there is a high risk of danger during thunderstorms. Earlier, there was a threat of landslides during the rainy season. This is an isolated area with no houses nearby.