As many as nine persons were killed and 10 others sustained critical injuries at different places in Deogarh, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts as lightning struck them on Sunday.
Two persons, Baidyanath Gouda (45) and Padmini Teli (35), of Temera village under Nabarangpur district’s Kosagumuda police station died as lightning hit them while they were working on a paddy field. Two other persons injured in the incident were admitted at the Kosagumuda hospital.
Similarly, one Debabati Gond (17) of Chanchala Bedha under the Umerkote police station died and four others, Buduni Gond, Sabita Gond, Santi Gond and Basanti Majhi, were injured after being struck by lightning. The injured were admitted at the Umerkote hospital. Besides, two persons, Bisakha Karmakand and her son Gopal of Adhikariguda in the area were seriously injured as lightning struck their home.
In Deogarh district, four persons were killed and another sustained injuries at Pendrakhol village due to lightning. The incident took place in the afternoon when the victims were returning home from a stone crusher.
In Malkangiri district, two of a family (father and a daughter) died and two other members (a son and a daughter) were injured at Somanathaguda area under the Mathiliguda block after being struck by lightning.