• Source:IANS
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As many as six people died due to lightning strikes in five different districts of Odisha on Sunday. As a result, the death toll due to lightning strikes in the state has risen to 15 over the past two days, including nine deaths reported on Saturday from different parts of the state. 

Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday expressed grief over the tragic deaths and condoled the bereaved family members. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, two people died in Kendrapara district while one each succumbed to lightning strikes in Balasore, Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Subarnapur on Sunday.

The Odisha CM has also announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia for the family of each of the deceased persons. The chief minister wished speedy recovery to the victims and declared that the state government would bear the treatment expenses of all the people who sustained injuries due to lightning strikes.

Meanwhile, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Sunday emphasised that the district administrations are being regularly updated on weather-related issues.

“The number of lightning deaths is much higher in Odisha in comparison to other states. Around 300 persons die due to lightning strikes every year in the state. There are many reasons for such deaths, such as lack of adequate earthing system in various buildings, including schools and residential homes,” Pujari was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.

Pujari also stated that the Manjhi-led BJP government in the state will soon plant 20 lakh palm trees, known as ‘lightning arresters’, across the state to save precious lives during lightning.