Lightning Causes 6 More Deaths, Odisha CM Declares Rs 4 Lakh Ex-Gratia, SRC Issues Advisory

Bhubaneswar: Six more people died in different parts of Odisha after being struck by lightning on Sunday. On Saturday ten lightning deaths had occurred in the state.

The six lightning related deaths on Saturday were reported from Kendrapara, Balasore, Jajpur, Subarnapur, and Bhadrak districts.

Two persons died of lightning in Basudebpur and Gara villages under Pattamundi in Kendrapara district. A villager was kile dby lightning at Soor Wada village in Balasore and four others were injured. A farmer died when lightning struck him in Dharam Chaya Bhabanipur in Jajpur district. Another peasant died in Thileimal in the Binika area in the Subarnapur district. The sixth death was reported from Bhandaripokhri Nerda village in Bhadrak district.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his grief over the lightning deaths and announced ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. He added that the state government will bear their medical expenses.

The office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) on Sunday issued an advisory listing precautionary measures to be adopted by the people during lightning strike incidents.

It said if someone is outside the house during a lightning strike, it would be appropriate to bend and remain with the support of knees. People have been advised against lying on the ground during lightning strikes.