Bhubaneswar: At least three people were killed in lightning strikes and thunderstorms in Odisha over the last 24 hours.
High-velocity winds, thunderstorms and lightning affected districts such as Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Angul on Wednesday evening, claiming at least three lives, an official in the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) said
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Altogether 94 houses were damaged in these three districts. Over 168 houses were damaged due to a storm in Rourkela city of Sundargarh district on May 25. Several trees were uprooted, following which an ODRAF team and Fire Service personnel were deployed for restoration work, officials said.
Local administrations have distributed polythene sheets to families whose houses were damaged.
Meanwhile, residents staged a road blockade in Rourkela on Thursday after power supply was not restored in the affected areas. The protest was later withdrawn following intervention by the local administration.
In Sundargarh district’s Bonai town, nor’wester storm uprooted several trees and damaged a number of houses and vehicles. ODRAF personnel were engaged in clearing roads, while restoration of power supply may take some time.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms with lightning and gusty surface winds across several parts of Odisha for the next six days.