Lightning toll reaches 40 in State

Bhubaneswar: Lightning claimed six more lives in State today taking the toll to 40 in last four days.

Two from Balasore district and one each from Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Ganjam and Keonjhar district were among the casualties. Lightning struck while most of them were working in fields.

Sambhunath Muduli of Odasala in Balasore district was killed while he was engaged in tilling activities in his paddy field. Similarly, a woman of Kasimpur village of the same district died after lightning struck her.

A woman of Badasankha in Ganjam district was killed in lightning.

Two farmers were killed after being struck by lightning at Talapada in Kendrapara and Handiagaon village in Jagatsinghpur district. Lightning struck a minor boy at Jadipada in Keonjhar district killing him on the spot.

Similar incidents took place at various places in the State in past two days claiming 34 lives.