Four persons died and several others sustained critical injuries after being struck by lightning at different places in the State on Saturday afternoon.
According to reports, two persons were killed and three persons received burn injuries as lightning struck them at Niladri Prasad under the Banapur police station in Khordha district. The injured were admitted to a nearby hospital.
The second such incident occurred at Talabarakote village under the Sadar police station in Dhenkanal district. One Ranjita Mohapatra, wife of Manoranjan Mohapatra, was having lunch in her house when lightning struck her.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital.. Later she was referred to the Athagarh Sub-Divisional Hospital where she succumbed.
Yet another person died In the third incident that occurred at Darupani village under Mohana police station in Gajapati district. The deceased was identified as Kailash Pradhan.
Kailash had gone to a nearby forest to graze sheep when lightning struck him. He died on the spot.