4 killed in lightning strikes in Koraput & Rayagada districts

Koraput: Four persons were killed in lightning strikes in Koraput and Rayagada districts on Wednesday.

Three of a family, including a 13-year-old girl, were killed in a lightning strike in Kandha Putabandha village under Ampabali panchayat in Koraput. The deceased have been identified as Gamel Krishna (49), his daughter Gamel Kami, and a 35-year-old relative, Gamel Tumbai, police said.

Sources said the trio, working in a nearby field, sought shelter under a tree around 12:30 pm during a thunderstorm when they were struck by lightning and died on the spot.

"The bodies have been recovered and sent for post-mortem," said Bahadur Singh Dharua, tehsildar of Pottangi.

He added that an immediate compensation of Rs 10,000 each has been sanctioned for the bereaved families, and further assistance will be provided as per govt norms.

The administration has urged residents to avoid taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms.

In another incident, a 16-year-old boy grazing cattle was killed when lightning struck at Antamada village in Kolnara block of Rayagada district on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Sanjay Himirika, a Class X student, police said.

Police sources said the incident occurred around 2 pm when Sanjay was tending to cattle in a field. A sudden thunderstorm struck the area, and the boy was struck by a bolt of lightning. The body was retrieved and sent for autopsy, police said.

Koraput: Four persons were killed in lightning strikes in Koraput and Rayagada districts on Wednesday.

Three of a family, including a 13-year-old girl, were killed in a lightning strike in Kandha Putabandha village under Ampabali panchayat in Koraput. The deceased have been identified as Gamel Krishna (49), his daughter Gamel Kami, and a 35-year-old relative, Gamel Tumbai, police said.

Sources said the trio, working in a nearby field, sought shelter under a tree around 12:30 pm during a thunderstorm when they were struck by lightning and died on the spot.

"The bodies have been recovered and sent for post-mortem," said Bahadur Singh Dharua, tehsildar of Pottangi.

He added that an immediate compensation of Rs 10,000 each has been sanctioned for the bereaved families, and further assistance will be provided as per govt norms.

The administration has urged residents to avoid taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms.

In another incident, a 16-year-old boy grazing cattle was killed when lightning struck at Antamada village in Kolnara block of Rayagada district on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Sanjay Himirika, a Class X student, police said.

Police sources said the incident occurred around 2 pm when Sanjay was tending to cattle in a field. A sudden thunderstorm struck the area, and the boy was struck by a bolt of lightning. The body was retrieved and sent for autopsy, police said.