At least 40 people killed and more that 50 others injured in lightning in different parts of Odisha on Saturday. Special relief commissioner Pradipta Mohapatra has confirmed more than two dozen deaths.
He said the figure may go up as the reports were still coming in.
Mohapatra said the family of each deceased would get Rs. 4 lakh compensation as per the relief code of the Odisha government.
Of the 40 deceased, eight each are reported from Bhadrak and Balasore districts while five from Mayurbhanj and Khurda districts and four from Cuttack district.
The rest deceased are from Keonjhar, Nayagarh, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Puri districts. AIR correspondent reports that maximum death and casualties reported due to lightning took place while the deceased were working in sowing paddy plant in their field.
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