The province's Tonghe county was particularly badly hit, with four people killed and two injured within a period of just three days in July, Xinhua news agency reported.

Material losses have also been huge, with one granary in the province catching fire after being struck by lightning in late June, causing the loss of 19,000 tonnes of grain, according to the agency.

Although frequent thunder and lightning is a seasonal phenomenon that cannot easily be changed, Xinhua also quoted local officials as blaming poor preparations for the heavy loss of life.

TERRA.WIRE