lightning has emerged as a serious natural calamity claiming many lives in Odisha every year. It is estimated that about 300 people of the State die due to the strike from the sky. North Odisha, including Baleswar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar is a highly vulnerable zone, which experiences several tragic deaths every year.
On June 10, in one of the most tragic incidents, three persons, including cousin brothers, died on the spot after they were hit by lightning in Bhograi block.
The deceased were identified as Surav Mahanna ( 22), Ramchandra Mahann (24) and Chandan Mahanna (25) of Chakeshapa village under Kachuadi panchayat.
The trio was going in a motor bike when the mishap stuck them near a temple called Chitei Thakurani, Bhuabandha.
Since this is the beginning of the monsoon season, it is feared, as per previous trends, that similar incidents could occur anywhere and cause casualties and injuries.
The district emergency officials said that the State Government has declared a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to be given to the next of kin of the deceased killed by the lightening after the receipt of autopsy report.
It may be noted that Baleswar MP Rabindra Kumar Jena in August last year had raised the issue of lightning deaths and in March this year had sought to know the progress made by the Science and Technology Ministry to lessen the number of casualties.
Mentioning need of a technology for prediction of lightning, he also urged the Ministry to focus on developing cutting edge technology to predict lightning and hailstorms.
“The Government should take initiatives to develop technologies in predicting lightning strikes like some advanced States. The US and UK are using technologies where basing on the predication the loss of lives is curbed. The issue was raised by me in the Parliament twice,” said Jena. “I have urged the Union Government to provide compensation of Rs. 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased, after including the lightning strikes in the list of natural calamities which currently include floods, earthquake etc,” he informed.