Ten killed in Orissa thunderstorms
By IANSTuesday, May 25, 2010
BHUBANESWAR - At least 10 people, including four children, have been killed as thunderstorms wreaked havoc in many parts of Orissa, an official said Tuesday.
Heavy rains struck in many places in both coastal and western Orissa, including capital city Bhubaneswar and its neighbouring Cuttack, Monday evening.
The rains continued for several hours and caused the maximum devastation in Sundargarh and Jharsuguda districts.
Four small children died when a lightning struck the tree under which they took shelter to escape the rain in Sundargarh district, a senior state revenue official told IANS.
“The mishap took place near Oramlata village,” he said.
Two people were killed in separate incidents after trees uprooted during the thunderstorm fell on them in Jharsuguda district, he said.
Two more people were reported killed from Sambalpur district, the revenue official said. The districts of Khordha and Bargarh have reported one death each, he said.
According to a preliminary estimates, at least 1,000 houses have been damaged by the storm.
The state government has sanctioned Rs.1 lakh compensation to the families of each of those killed. The money would be provided from the state calamity relief fund, the official said.
