With over 1100 deaths, Odisha registers highest casualties due to lightning strikes in last 5 years

Odisha has recorded the highest number of deaths caused by lightning strikes in India over the last five years, informed Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari in the State Assembly on Thursday.

According to Pujari, a total of 1,103 people have lost their valuable lives due to lightning strike incidents in the State during this period. Districts like Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Balasore have reported more lightning strike deaths than other districts in the State.

As per reports, Odisha is witnessing more lightning strike deaths as it is a mineral-rich State. And the minerals are good conductors of electricity.

“No technology has been developed so far to find out where lightning strikes will take place. Districts like Jharsuguda and Bolangir have witnessed as many as 72 and 55 lightning strikes respectively. Government is providing compensation amount of Rs 4 lakh for death related to a lightning strike,” said Pujari in the Assembly.

“While the Odisha government has allocated Rs 2300 crore to the Disaster Management Department, Rs 200 crore has been kept as compensation amount. We have enough funds for it. The government is deliberating to give compensation to the Odias who will die outside the State due to lightning strikes,” he added.

Notably, large State like Uttar Pradesh has reported only 542 deaths due to lightning strikes in the last five years.