Berhampur/Sukinda/Mahakalapara: Four people were killed and four others critically injured in separate incidents of lightning strikes over the weekend.
In Ganjam district, a woman was killed and another seriously injured after lightning struck them on a farmland near Brajarajpur village under Khallikote block Sunday afternoon.
The deceased was identified as Chandrama Goud, while the injured, Urmila Gouda, is undergoing treatment at the Khallikote Community Health Centre.
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In Kendrapara district, a 47-year-old fisherman, Bijay Parida of Tantiapal village under Mahakalapara block, was killed after lightning struck his boat in the sea Saturday during a thunderstorm.
His son Manas was thrown off the boat and remains missing. The incident came to light after nearby fishermen informed locals and the family.
Parida is survived by two minor daughters and a son.
Locals have demanded financial assistance from the state government for the bereaved family.
Another fatal lightning strike occurred in Ganjam district, where 37-year-old goatherd Biswanath Goud of Pentha village in Kaithakhandi panchayat was killed while grazing goats near Sindhaba village in Digapahandi block.
He was rushed to the Digapahandi CHC, where doctors declared him dead. In Jajpur district, 40-year-old Balaram Hembram died after being struck by lightning while working on farmland near Srirampur village under Sukinda police limits.
Two men and a woman working nearby sustained critical injuries and were admitted to Sukinda CHC for treatment.
PNN