Lightning Strikes Killed 1103 in Odisha in Last 5 Years; Highset In Country

Bhubaneswar: During the last five years, at least 1103 people have died due to lightning strikes in Odisha, informed state Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari in the Assembly on Thursday.

Answering a question put up by an MLA, the minister added that Odisha is ahead of other states in lightning deaths. According to the minister, Sundergarh, Jharsuguda and Balasore districts are more prone to thunderstorms. More lightning strikes occur in areas having more mineral resources. Thunderstorms usually occur before the monsoon and during monsoon rains.

Odisha the government provides an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of people killed by lightning.

The state Revenue Minister said that palm trees are being planted across the state to prevent lightning strikes as these tall trees act as lightning conductors. Forest department has been allotted Rs 7 crore to plant palm trees across the state, he said.