As Lightning Strikes Claim 3 More Lives & Leave 4 Critical, Odisha SRC Issues Safety Guidelines

Bhubaneswar: At least three persons were killed and four others critically injured in two separate lightning strike incidents in Odisha on Sunday

According to information, two farmers died in Pattamundai area of Kendrapada district, while another person was killed in lightning strike in Balasore.

Sources said a farmer, identified as Bijay Mallick of Basudevpur village in Dosia panchayat in the district had gone to his field when lightning struck him.

He was immediately rushed to Pattamundai hospital where doctors declared in him dead.
In a similar incident, another farmer Raj Kishore Pradhan died due to lightning strike at Garagaon village under Bilikana panchayat in the district.

In Balasore, five members of a family from Wada village under Soro block had gone to the field when the lighting struck them. They were immediately rushed to the hospital where one of them died while undergoing treatment.

The fresh casualties came a day after nine persons, including a minor boy, were killed in lightning strikes in different parts of the state. Two deaths each were reported in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Bhadrak districts and one death each in Keonjhar, Dhenkanal and Ganjam districts, the CMO said, while informing about Rs 4 lakh ex gratia each to the next of kin of the deceased.

Notably, Odisha is one of India’s worst-affected states by lightning strikes during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods.

In view of the loss of several lives dur to lightning strikes in the state, the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) on Sunday issued advisory listing precautionary measures to be adopted by the people during lightning strike incidents.

It said if someone is outside the house during lightning strike, it would be appropriate to bend and remain with the support of knees. People have been advised against lying on the ground during lightning strikes.

If one is caught in an open area, it will be proper to act quickly to find shelter. The most important action is to remove one from danger. Crouching or getting low to the ground can reduce the chances of being struck.

If there is no shelter nearby, it will be proper to immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks.

Never shelter under an isolated tree. If you are in a forest, shelter near lower trees.

Never use a cliff or rocky overhang for shelter.

Immediately get out of and away from ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water.

Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (such as barbed wire fences, power lines, or windmills).