Odishatv Bureau

Bhubaneswar: At least five persons, including two minor boys were killed in separate incidents of lightning in the State during the past 24 hours. Among the five, three deaths have been reported from Bolangir district alone.

As per sources, two children died after lightning struck them when they had gone to collect mangoes from an orchard at Odinga village under Belpada police limits in Bolangir district this morning. The deceased have been identified as Purunananda Bhoi (10) and Ishwar Bae (13). Besides, a youth died in lightning at Bankel village in Titlagarh of the district

In another incident, a woman died when lightning struck her Kalsaria village in Rourkela while another person died at Sanamaheswar village under Khadial police limits in Nuapada district.

Meanwhile, the Regional Centre of India Meteorological Department (IMD) here today sounded thunderstorm alert for 22 districts across the State till May 26.

As per the Met Department, thunderstorm accompanied by lighting is likely to occur especially in Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Bargarh, Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada districts. Wind with speed ranging from 60 to 70 kmph will also accompany the thunderstorm, said IMD sources.

On the other hand, heavy rainfall along with lightning on Sunday wreaked havoc in several parts of the State. Reportedly, two were injured in lightning strikes at Khajuripada village under Phiringia block in Kandhamal. They have been admitted to Phringia hospital for treatment. Roofs of as many as 10-12 houses flew away during the thunderstorm forcing the people to spend the night under open sky.

The IMD had issued thunderstorm alert for fourteen districts- Kandhamal, Boudh, Sonepur, Bolangir, Jharsuguda, Sundergarh, Rayagada, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Khurda, Puri and Nayagarh yesterday.

Meanwhile, eight places recorded a maximum temperature of 40 degree Celsius in the State yesterday, while Malkangiri sizzled at 42.6 degree Celsius, the mercury stood at 31.8 degree Celsius in Paradip.

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