Nor'wester claimed 51 lives since April in Odisha: Minister

Bhubaneswar: As many as 51 persons have been killed in Nor'wester (Kalabaisakhi) induced thunderstorm in several parts of Odisha since April 1, informed Revenue Minister, Maheswar Mohanty today.

Out of the total casualties, 47 persons have been killed in lightning while four people died in Nor'wester rain.

At least six lightning deaths were reported on a single day from Bargarh, Cuttack, Khurda, Kendrapara and Puri districts yesterday.

Mohanty further informed that standing crops in nearly 28,899 hectare land in six districts- Bargarh, Subarnapur, Malkangiri, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Dhenkanal have been damaged.

Crops in nearly 923 hectare in Subarnapur have sustained massive damages.

Moreover, 561 houses have been damaged in seven districts due to thunderstorm since April, informed sources.

"We have already provided agriculture input subsidy and house building assistance based on the preliminary reports submitted by collectors of affected districts," said Mohanty.