Bhubaneswar: In separate incidents, at least 14 people were reportedly killed due to lightning strikes in Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Kendrapara, Balsore and Angul districts, Sunday.
Five casualties were reported from Bhadrak, while three people were killed in Kendrapara.
The deceased were identified as Narahari Das (50) of Sundarpur under Chandbali block, Purna Chandra Jena (40) of Baharakola, Bidyadhar Rout (4) of Nuagan, Mrutyunjay Behera (55) of Bodak and Santosh Kumar Sethi of Rambilagaon.
A report from Raisuan of Keonjhar said, the 27-year old Subash Barik of Anra in Rayagada panchayat was working in his farmland at 11.30 am when lightning struck. He was rushed to the district headquarters hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, a youth identified as Shankar Majhi died at Nuapada village under this police limits in Sundargarh district while he was returning from his farm.
Meanwhile three people, including two from Mahakalada police limits, from Kendrapara died in lightning. According to Shyamaghana Behera, the IIC of Mahakalapada police limits, the 55-year old Ramesh Chandra Swain, a resident of Kochila village under Mahakalapada block, was struck by lightning while he was returning home after working in the field. Similarly, the 63-year old Jhari Rout, a resident of Adoi village, died when he was working in the agriculture field. Lightning struck Sanjukta Sahu (40) of Tarada village.
Balasore reported four deaths due to lightning strike. The deceased were identified as Srinbash Santra(55) of Tundura, Ramesh Chandra Swain (45) of Srijang, Bharati Das (40) of Kuligan and Gelhi Singh (52) of Bharda.
Besides, five persons were critically hurt in the lightning and admitted to the district headquarters hospital in Balasore.
A report from Angul adds that a man Muchhia Nayak was killed while his wife Saraswati Nayak was rendered critical after lightning struck them at their farmland in Balaramprasad village under Nalco police limits. PNN
