At least 10 dead in lightning strikes in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: At least ten persons were killed and five others were injured after lightning struck people in at least five districts across Odisha.

As per reports, a husband-wife duo was killed in the lightning strike this afternoon at Jatia village under Sarang gram panchayat in Dhenkanal district. The deceased have been identified as Nityananda Behera (50) and his wife Rukmini Behera (47). The couple was indoors where the bolt struck. While Rukmini died on the spot, Nityananda succumbed on his way to hospital.

In another incident, a youth was killed while he had taken shelter under a tree at Gheruniyan village under Sanda gram panchayat in Dhenkanal district. The deceased Bikas Panda (32) had ventured out to attend nature’s call this afternoon.

In Keonjhar district, two youths travelling in a two-wheeler were hit by lightning on Raasbiridi road under Hatadihi block. While one of them was killed, another was rushed to Hatadihi Community Health Centre (CHC) and later shifted to District Headquarters Hospital in a critical condition. In the same district, a 12-year-old girl Reena Nayak from Jajapasi village under Raghunathpur gram panchayat was killed and her sister Pratima (6) and mother Nabat Nayak (35) were critically injured.

Similarly in Angul district, Mayadhar Parida (55) from Gandhi Marg area under Sadar police limits fell victim to nature’s fury. A critically injured Mayadhar was rushed to District Headquarters Hospital. However, he succumbed before reaching the hospital. He was pronounced dead on arrival by the attending doctors.

In Balasore district, a 12-year-old boy Bapun Singh was hit by lightning while riding Raja swing at Churunia village under Simulia police limits.

Two persons from Bhadrak district were also killed in lightning strike while working in the field. They have been identified as Bansidhar Das (55) from Dapha Nayakani under Tihidi block and Kaibalya Das (65) from Barasar village.

One person from Badamula village under Khadial police limits in Nuapada districts was also killed in the lightning strike.