A tragic incident happened yesterday in the Malkangiri district. Two women were killed and three people were admitted to the hospital in critical condition after lightning struck in two places yesterday in Pandripani (ପାଣ୍ଡ୍ରିପାଣି) panchayat.
It has been reported that the incident took place while picking grass on the farm. The deceased have been identified as Daimati Khila (26) of Rauliguda (ରାଉଲିଗୁଡା) village and Laxmi Kope (17) of Baunshguda (ବାଉଁଶଗୁଡ଼ା) village.
According to sources, yesterday morning a large number of women and men of Rauliguda and Baunshguda villages of Pandripani panchayat went to the rice field to pick grass. In the afternoon, the weather suddenly changed and it started raining with thunder.
Before everyone could get to safety, lightning struck at the farm. As a result, Daimati Khila of Rauliguda village was seriously injured. Just at that time, lightning struck in the Baunshguda village. As a result, Laxmi Kope (17) was seriously injured.
After being rescued from both places, they were taken to the Pandripani primary health centre. There, the doctor declared them dead. Some were also injured in the lightning strike and were shifted to Malkangiri district headquarters hospital.