Rain and hailstorm accompanied by lightning in Odisha has caused heavy loss of life and property. Unseasonal rains damaged crops and two people died due to lightning. At least two people died due to rain, thunderstorm and lightning at different places in Odisha in the last 24 hours, officials said on Saturday. 67 others are injured and more than 600 houses have been damaged.

Two people died due to lightning in Ganjam and Puri districts on Saturday and 67 people were injured due to hailstorm in Mayurbhanj district. He said that seven of them are in critical condition and have been admitted to Mayurbhanj District Headquarters Hospital. A report received from Ganjam district said that rain accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning occurred in many areas of the district.

Student returning home dies

Unseasonal rains led to waterlogging in several areas of Berhampur city. A Class 10 student died after being struck by lightning near Narayanpur in Patrapur block of Ganjam district on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Rajesh Kumar Gaud (15). Officials said he was returning home from Bamkei when he was struck by lightning and died on the spot. According to reports from Puri district, Manoj Kumar Nayak (23) died after being struck by lightning in Gobardhanpur village on Saturday. He had gone to a paddy field with his parents to drain out excess water caused by heavy rains. Around 600 houses were damaged due to hailstorm in Mayurbhanj district.

Administration engaged in rescue operations

District Collector Hema Kant Sai told reporters that the district administration has launched relief and rehabilitation operations in the two worst-affected blocks of Mayurbhanj, Bisoi and Bangiriposi blocks. Bisoi and Bangiriposi blocks have been badly affected by the hailstorm. 350 houses have been completely damaged, while 250 other housing units have been partially affected. The district collector said 18 villages under Bisoi and 39 villages under Bangiriposi block have been affected. He said the administration has launched relief and rehabilitation operations in both the blocks. He said people whose houses have been destroyed are being provided polythene sheets, cooked and dry food as per rules.

Minister said - there has been a huge loss
Odisha Urban Development Minister KC Mahapatra on Saturday visited Bisoi area and said "There has been a huge loss as many people's houses have been destroyed in the hailstorm. The Chief Minister is aware of the incidents and people will be compensated within two days. Apart from Mayurbhanj, reports of houses being damaged have also been received from Keonjhar, Nabarangpur and Nuapada districts, which were hit by hailstorm, lightning and rain, officials said. Hailstorms have wreaked havoc in at least four districts in the last 36 hours.

IMD said - no relief for three days
The Indian Meteorological Department on Saturday forecast thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds in many parts of Odisha during the next three days. Meanwhile, firefighters rescued a 54-year-old visually impaired woman when rain and drain water entered the slum in Subudhi Colony of Barhampur town of Ganjam district. Fire brigade of Barhampur "When water entered the houses, others came out of their homes but the woman could not come out," official Thakur Prasad Dalei said. After getting the information, our staff rushed to the area and rescued him."

Water entered the hospital

Rainwater also entered the MKCG Medical College Hospital in Berhampur town, causing inconvenience to patients. The Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar said in its evening bulletin that thunderstorms accompanied with lightning and hailstorms are likely at some places in Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Angul, Deogarh and Sundargarh districts during the next 24 hours with winds blowing at a speed of 50-60 kmph. Heavy rain (7 to 11 cm) and thunderstorms accompanied with lightning are also likely at one or two places in Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts during this period.

IMD issued alert

An orange alert has been issued for all these districts in view of the expected weather conditions by the weather agency. Similarly, rain alert has been issued for Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, A yellow (be cautious) warning has been issued for thunderstorm accompanied with lightning along with gusty winds with speed reaching 40-50 kmph at one or two places in Boudh, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Puri, Gajapati, Ganjam, Rayagada, Koraput and Malkangiri districts.