- September 4, 2023
12 killed as 61,000 lightning strikes in 2 hours send shockwaves in Odisha | India News – Times of India
BHUWANESHWAR: A staggering 61,000 lightning strikes across Odisha in nearly two hours on Saturday left 12 people dead and 14 injured, special relief commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu said. And these strikes may not be over with the India Meteorology Department (IMD) issuing a warning of extreme weather conditions in the state till September 7.
A cyclonic circulation active over the Bay of Bengal may intensify into a low-pressure area in the next 48 hours and under its influence, widespread rain is likely to occur across Odisha. The intensity of rain is likely to increase later in the week, according to an IMD bulletin. “Yellow warning for heavy rainfall has been issued in most districts till September 7,” the IMD further stated.
Four of the deceased in Saturday’s lightning strikes were from Khurda district, two from Balangir and one each from Angul, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur and Puri, the SRC said. “Besides, eight cattle were also killed as lightning struck Gajapati and Kandhamal districts,” the SRC added.
“Ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh will be paid to each of the bereaved families,” Sahu said.
Weather scientists said these unusual and extreme lightning activities occur when the monsoon returns to normalcy after a long break. Collision of cold and warm air masses creates the perfect conditions for such unprecedented lightning events, they said.
A cyclonic circulation active over the Bay of Bengal may intensify into a low-pressure area in the next 48 hours and under its influence, widespread rain is likely to occur across Odisha. The intensity of rain is likely to increase later in the week, according to an IMD bulletin. “Yellow warning for heavy rainfall has been issued in most districts till September 7,” the IMD further stated.
Four of the deceased in Saturday’s lightning strikes were from Khurda district, two from Balangir and one each from Angul, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur and Puri, the SRC said. “Besides, eight cattle were also killed as lightning struck Gajapati and Kandhamal districts,” the SRC added.
“Ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh will be paid to each of the bereaved families,” Sahu said.
Weather scientists said these unusual and extreme lightning activities occur when the monsoon returns to normalcy after a long break. Collision of cold and warm air masses creates the perfect conditions for such unprecedented lightning events, they said.
