Bargarh: Hailstorm and lightning claimed the life of a woman, while a fisherman drowned in Hirakud reservoir in the district Monday. Two sisters were also critically injured after being struck by lightning.
The deceased was identified as Niladri Bag (35), wife of Jayaram Bag of Bardol village on the outskirts of the town. The injured – who were identified as Sebati Bhue (20) and Bharati Bhue (30) of the same village – were admitted to the district headquarters hospital here and later shifted to VSS Medical College and Hospital in Burla.
Niladri, along with Sebati and Bharati were going to a nearby field Monday evening. Lightning struck them midway and the three women fell unconscious on the spot. A group of youths, who were playing cricket nearby, rescued the three and rushed them to the district headquarters hospital, where the doctors declared Niladri dead on arrival. After preliminary treatment, the injured siblings were shifted to VSS.
Niladri is survived by her husband and two sons. Bharati, who is also married, had come to visit her parental house at Bardol along with her two children.
In the other incident, Linga Majhi (40) of Dhurrukusum village under Atabira police station ventured into the Hirakud reservoir in his boat along with his wife for fishing, when a thunderstorm started. They were returning home when Linga lost his balance due to the gusty wind and fell into the water, said his wife Panka Majhi. Panka tried to rescue Linga, but failed. However, she managed to row the boat to the bank of the reservoir.
She alerted villagers who launched an intensive search operation to rescue Linga, but failed.
On being informed, fire brigade personnel from Atabira reached the place. However, they were unable to begin a search operation as darkness had fallen in the area. PNN
