Lightning Strike Claims 2 Lives in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj District

Mayurbhanj: Two more individuals lost their lives to lightning strikes in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha on Tuesday. The tragic incident occurred in the Dumapada and Sankhajod villages, falling under the jurisdiction of the Betonati police station.

The victims, identified as Govind and Shiva Hansada, were both farm labourers from neighbouring villages. They were struck while working in the fields amidst heavy rain.

The incident occurred when both men were caught in a lightning storm while continuing their work. They were rushed to Betonati Hospital by villagers but were declared dead upon arrival. The local police have since registered separate cases and sent the bodies for post-mortem.

This incident follows a concerning trend, with 15 lightning-related deaths reported across the state in the previous month. According to Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Odisha recorded the highest number of lightning fatalities in India over the past five years, with a total of 1,625 deaths reported during this period.