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.
