Lightning strikes kill 17 in Orissa

At least 17 people, including six women, were killed in lightning strikes across Orissa with the coastal district of Ganjam accounting for four casualties, officials said today.

At least 17 people, including six women, were killed in lightning strikes across Orissa with the coastal district of Ganjam accounting for four casualties, officials said Tuesday.

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The deaths occurred Monday but the government received the relevant reports from the concerned district authorities Tuesday, an official of the special relief commissioner office control room told IANS.

The other deaths were reported from Angul, Balasore, Khordha, Deogarh, Sundergarh, Bargarh, Kendrapada, and Jajpur district, he said.

State revenue and disaster management department minister Surya Narayan Patro told IANS that the government will provide compensation of Rs.50,000 each from the chief minister's relief fund to the kin of those who died due to the lightning strikes.