New Delhi (Agency): The Odisha government confirmed that the death toll from lightning strikes across the state on the previous day has risen to 12. To support the affected families, the government has announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased.
The casualties occurred in various districts, with four reported in Khurda, two in Bolangir, and one each in Angul, Boudh, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, and Puri, according to the office of the special relief commissioner (SRC). Additionally, lightning strikes led to injuries in 11 districts, with Bolangir, Khurda, Angul, Cuttack, and Ganjam being the most affected.
Eight bovines also fell victim to the lightning strikes, six in Gajapati and two in Kandhamal districts.
Heavy rainfall accompanied by lightning strikes was observed in all 11 districts, as well as the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. During a 90-minute period, Bhubaneswar recorded 126 mm of rainfall, while Cuttack received 95.8 mm.
The state experienced a significant number of cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning strikes, with 36,597 CC and 25,753 CG lightning occurrences respectively. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously predicted heavy rainfall and lightning in multiple parts of the state over the next four days.
The recent surge in rain and lightning can be attributed to the activation of the monsoon by a cyclonic circulation. This weather pattern is anticipated to continue, resulting in heavy rainfall in Odisha during the upcoming days.
The meteorological department advised residents to seek shelter during thunderstorm activity and closely follow weather updates. Additionally, a cyclonic circulation over the northeast Bay of Bengal, coupled with another expected formation over the northern Bay of Bengal around September 3, is likely to lead to a low-pressure area in the subsequent 48 hours. This will further intensify the southwest monsoon, potentially causing more heavy rainfall.
In response to the frequency of lightning-related incidents, the Odisha government has declared lightning a state-specific disaster. During the 2021-22 period, a total of 281 fatalities occurred due to lightning strikes across 30 districts.