Malkangiri/Dhenkanal: In separate incidents, at least six people died while four suffered critical burn injuries after they were struck by lightning in course of the Nor’wester rain accompanied by gusty surface winds and hailstorm in the state in last two days.
According to sources, heavy rainfall lashed Korukonda, MV-17, MV-19, Kalimela, Poteru and Malkangiri areas followed by a severe hailstorm that destroyed acres of vegetables and standing paddy crop.
Farmer Nitei Podar and his wife Ranjita Podar of MV-66 under Kalimlea police limits were struck by lightning while they were sitting on their verandah. Ranjita died on the spot while Nitei suffered serious injuries. Luckily, his children playing in a nearby room were found safe. Family members rushed Podar to the Kalimela community health centre (CHC). He was then shifted to Malkangiri district hospital for advanced treatment.
In another incident, Dulu Haldar of MV-41 under Kalimela police limits died of lightning while in the third incident, a woman of Anlapadar village under Mathili block also succumbed to the burn injury caused by thunderbolt. The deceased in the case was identified as Dutika Katia (28), wife of Sanya Katia.
Similarly, two more women died after struck by flash of lightening in Kankadahad and Bhuban blocks in Dhenkanal district.
The deceased were Nayana Patra (52) of Maruabili and Gurubari Munda (55) of Majhipal. Nayana was grazing goats. Family members rushed her to the local community health centre (CHC) where doctors declared her ‘brought dead’. Gurubari was sitting at her house; her relatives Makara Munda (33) and Sambhari Munda (20) suffered serious injuries. Rangabati Behera (65) of Bhuban NAC was also injured in lightning and undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile, an elderly woman also died Thursday when lightning struck her at Kusumi under Badampahad police limits in Mayurbhanj district Thursday. The deceased was identified as Tulasi Nayak(53), wife of Mukunda Nayak. The mishap occurred when she was busy working at the backyard of her house in the afternoon. Police registered a case of unnatural death.
