Saranda: A woman was killed while her farmer husband was left battling for life after they were struck by lightning amid the Nor’wester rain at Khairapali village under Larasara panchayat near Attabira in Bargarh district Monday morning.
The deceased was Bado Minju (55), wife of the injured Kate Minju. Locals rushed the two to the Burla-based VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR).
Police said the couple was harvesting paddy in their farmland. All of a sudden, heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty surface winds hit the village. The two were hit by lightning and fell unconscious in the farm. Those working in the farm called an ambulance and rushed the victims to Burla.
However, doctors declared the woman ‘brought dead’ while the condition of the farmer was stated critical.
Locals demanded compensation and free treatment for the poor farmer. Panchayat sarpanch Ranjit Sahu consoled the family and gave them Rs 2,000 from the Harischandra Yojana.