Thunderstorm danger reminder: Farmer killed by lightning strike while toiling in Mindoro fields

Photos from Rizal Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office

MANILA, Philippines — A 31-year-old farmer died after being struck by lightning in the town of Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, according to the local Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) on Friday.

According to Jolence Soriano, officer-in-charge of the Rizal MDRRMO, the victim, Alex Enio had gone out early to work in the fields on Thursday.

“Medyo tanghali na, hindi pa rin siya umuuwi. Kaya hinanap po siya, nakita po siya doon na naka-ano na, sa kanyang punlaan sa bukid niya po,” she told INQUIRER.net.

(It was already noon, and he hadn’t gone home. So they began searching for him, and he was just there, in the seedbed of his farm.)

Soriano said a rainfall advisory had been issued and classes were suspended.

“Patay na po, pero diniretso na rin sa hospital,” Soriano said when asked if they found the victim alone.

(He was dead but was brought straight to the hospital.)

Soriano said it was possible when asked if the farmer’s death could be linked to Super Typhoon Betty.

At the time of the victim’s passing, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) had issued a Yellow Rainfall warning over Negros Occidental due to the southwest monsoon.

The southwest monsoon, however, was reported by Pagasa to be enhanced by Betty.

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