Odisha woman killed, another critical in lightning strike while working in paddy field

A 45-year-old woman lost her life and another sustained serious injuries on Sunday after a lightning strike hit them while they were working in a paddy field in Bharasa Nuanpalli village under Khallikote police limits of Ganjam district, in the afternoon.

Also Read: 10 dead, 4 others critically injured in lightning strikes across Odisha

The deceased was identified as Chandrama Gouda, wife of Jayaram Gouda, a resident of the village. She was reportedly struck by lightning while engaged in agricultural work in the field. A second woman, working nearby, was also hit and is currently in critical condition.

Both women were immediately rushed to Khallikote Community Health Centre (CHC) for emergency treatment. Doctors at the health facility declared Chandrama Gouda ‘dead’ on arrival, while the injured woman continues to receive treatment.

Local police reached the CHC soon after and took possession of the body. The body has been sent for post-mortem. The incident has plunged the village into mourning, with a sombre atmosphere prevailing at the health facility.

Authorities are expected to initiate formal procedures for compensation and further probe into the disturbing event.

No comments were received from local police or the bereaved family in this regard.

Worth mentioning, earlier in separate incidents of Nor'wester (Kalbaisakhi) thunderstorms with lightning strikes, as many as ten lives were claimed in different places across Odisha on May 16 this year.

The deaths due to lightning strikes had included three from Koraput, two from Ganjam, two from Jajpur, two from Dhenkanal, and one from Gajapati districts of the State.

In Koraput district, abrupt storm caused the deaths of three people in Laxmipur. Among the deceased were an elderly woman and her granddaughter from Pordiguda of Odiapentha panchayat. The deceased woman was then identified as Burudi Mandinga, aged 60, and her granddaughter as Kasha Mandinga, aged 18, police sources had said.