post news network
Bhubaneswar, July 31: With 15 more lightning deaths reported from various parts of the state Monday, the death toll due to lightning reached 32 during the last two days. In addition, a large number of people have sustained injuries due to lightning in different parts of the state.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday expressed grief over the lightning deaths and announced an ex-gratia of `4 lakh to the nearest kin of each of the 18 persons who died Sunday.
The 18 deaths were reported from Balasore, Bhadrak, Sundergarh, Kendrapara and Keonjhar. As many as 15 more deaths were reported from different districts Monday. Sources said the deaths were reported from the districts of Cuttack, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanja, Khorda, Anugul and Puri.
Three people died and eight students of Rasrasikapur UGME School at Athagarh were injured when lightning struck their school building Monday. All the injured were admitted to Athagarh Sadar hospital.
Doctors treating the students said two of the seriously injured students iwould be referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital, if needed.
Official sources here said a total of 191 lightning deaths were reported this year, in addition to the deaths during the last two days.
