Malkangiri/Kalimela/Mathili: In separate incidents, three people died while one was seriously injured as they were struck by lightning in course of the Nor’wester rain accompanied by gusty surface winds and hailstorm.
According to sources, heavy to heavy rainfall lashed Korukonda, MV-17, MV-19, Kalimela, Poteru and Malkangiri areas. Following the rainfall, a severe hailstorm hit the area, destroying acres and 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 the house’s verandah. Ranjita died on the spot while Nitei suffered serious injuries. Luckily, his children playing in a nearby room were unaffected. Family members rushed Podar to the Kalimela community health centre (CHC). He was then shifted to Malkangiri district hospital for better treatment.
In another incident, Dulu Haldar of MV-41 died of lightning.
In a third incident, a woman of Anlapadar village under Mathili block died of lightning. She was Dutika Katia (28), wife of Sanya Katia. Dutika was standing near her house. Family members took her to a hospital, but she died on the way to hospital.
