Bhubaneswar: At least five persons were killed in three separate incidents in Dhenkanal, Nuapada and Balasore districts in lightning strikes on Thursday.
While violent storms and heavy rains lashed large parts of the state, lightning killed three including a couple of Jatia village under Parjang block in Khamakshyanagar, Dhenkanal.
Another person in Bherunia village and two cows also died in Kusumi village in the district.
In another incident, a resident of Badmula village under Khadial police limits in Nuapada lost his life.
Similarly, lightning killed one and critically injured two of Sanmaitapur village in Soro block, Balasore.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms have been hitting most parts of the state in the last couple of days affecting normal life.
Earlier, a Bhubaneswar bound Indigo flight 6E-6512 was diverted to Kolkata as it failed to land at the Biju Pattnaik International Airport due to rough weather on Wednesday.