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In one of the most fatal lightning incidents in recent years, 15 people were killed across various districts of Odisha on Friday as Nor'wester storms triggered intense lightning strikes across the state.

According to the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), the highest number of casualties occurred in Koraput district, where four people lost their lives. Ganjam reported three deaths, while Nabarangpur, Jajpur, and Dhenkanal recorded two fatalities each. One death each was reported from Rayagada, Cuttack, and Mayurbhanj. More than a dozen others were injured in these incidents.

In Koraput, four people died in two separate lightning strikes. In Paradiguda village (under Odiapentha panchayat, Laxmipur block), Budri Mandinga (60), her granddaughter Kasa Mandinga (16), and Ambika Kashi (35) were struck while taking shelter in a hut near their paddy field. Five others were injured in the same incident. In another case, Das Jani (32) from Khalpadi village in Semiliguda block was killed while fishing near Lenjiguda village.

In Ganjam, Rita Goud (30) of Kebiri Brahmapur (under Belaguntha police station) was fatally struck while in a mango orchard. In A. Barida village, 13-year-old Omprakash Pradhan died while playing cricket on a local field.

Two children—Tara Hembram (9) and Jakhun Chatar (12) were killed in Jajpur district while playing in a field in Burusahi village, under Anjira panchayat in Dharmasala block.

In Dhenkanal, Surushi Biswal (40) of Kusumundia village (under Mahabirod police limits) was killed while standing in front of her house. Sanatan Dian (45) of Kabara village died after being struck while returning from his farmland.

In Mayurbhanj, Chunarama Kisko (31), a labourer from Kuting village (under Udala police station), died after being hit by lightning while returning from the Uparbeda forest office.

Expressing grief over the tragic incident, Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said, "This is a painful natural disaster. The state government will provide ₹4 lakh as compensation to the families of the deceased. Post-mortems are underway, and each case is being closely examined. To reduce future lightning casualties, we are working with the Forest Department on large-scale tree plantation drives."

Lightning remains one of the top causes of weather related deaths in Odisha, responsible for 200 to 400 fatalities annually. Around 85% of lightning incidents occur between May and September. The state records over six lakh lightning strikes every year and has reported a staggering 1,418 lightning-related deaths between 2020 and 2025 making it the worst-hit state in India.