Lighting struck a residential locality at Nimboli in Bhiwandi taluka at around 8 pm, killing three youths. They were identified as Rajesh V Patil (18), Alpesh Bhoir (25) and Shrikant B Patil (20), they said.
Meanwhile, heavy rains, accompanied with thunder and high speed winds, lashed Thane city and the district for two hours from 6.30 pm. Many low-lying areas were flooded and road traffic was affected.
Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune, among other cities in Maharashtra, also experienced heavy showers accompanied by thunder and lightning this evening.
