Odisha demands lightning to be declared as natural disaster

Odisha government has demanded lightning to be declared as a natural disaster. The State government has given a proposal in this regard to the Centre, informed State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallik. 

“Many people are getting killed due to lightning strikes in Odisha. The State government is providing an ex-gratia of Rs 4,00,000 to the family of the deceased. If lightning is included in the list of natural disasters then the family members of the deceased will be able to get an increased ex-gratia amount as per the provisions for natural disasters,” said Mallik.

“Odisha government has given a proposal to the Centre in this regard. However, we are yet to get a response. We have also discussed the matter with a Union Minister and he has assured us to look into our demands,” she added.

On September 2, as many as 12 persons were killed in extreme thunderstorms and lightning activities across Odisha. The highest number of deaths was reported from Khordha district where four people were killed. While two deaths were reported in Bolangir, a death each was reported from Angul, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri districts.

Apart from the loss of human lives, eight cattle also died in extreme thunderstorms and lightning activities in Gajapati and Kandhamal districts.