Anandapur/Bancho: Two people were killed in separate lightning strikes in Anandapur block of Kendujhar district Wednesday, leaving their families and villagers in mourning.
The deceased were identified as Sabita Barik, 50, of Matha sahi in Kantipal village, and Lipu Sahu, 19, of Pandasahi in Padmapur village.
In the first incident, Sabita and her husband, Abhimanyu Barik, were working near a tubewell in their backyard when lightning struck during rain and thunder.
Sabita sustained critical injuries and was rushed by family members to Anandapur Sub-Divisional Hospital (SDH), where doctors pronounced her dead.
In the other incident, Lipu was returning from farmland with his father, Duryodhan Sa hu, when they were struck by lightning. Both suffered serious injuries and fell unconscious.
Local residents and family members rescued them and also took them to Anandapur SDH, where doctors declared Lipu dead.
Anandapur police reached the spots, recovered the bodies and sent them for post-mortem examinations.
Police registered two separate cases, numbered 38/26 and 39/26, in connection with the deaths. Residents have urged the administration to provide government assistance to the bereaved families.