Odisha Channel Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: At least 15 persons were killed by lightning in different parts of Odisha on Monday, taking the total deaths due to lightning to 33 in the State in just two days.
The 15 deaths on Monday were reported from different locations in several districts including Khurda, Cuttack, Puri and Mayurbhanj.
The number of lives lost due to lightning during the day was likely to increase as reports were being received from distant places, according to official sources.
As many as 18 persons were killed by lightning in the State on Sunday.
While five persons were killed in Bhadrak, four were killed in Balasore, three in Kendrapara, two in Mayurbhanj and one each in Keonjhar, Angul, Sundergarh and Ganjam districts.
Lightning claiming more lives cannot be ruled out as the Bhubaneswar Meteorological Centre has warned that thunder storm with lightning is likely to occur at many places over north and coastal Odisha in next two days.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for next of the kin of the 18 persons who were killed by lightning on Sunday.
