In the past three years, lightning strikes have resulted in 1,075 fatalities in Odisha, as informed by Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari, in the State Assembly today.
Out of the total deaths, Mayurbhanj district recorded the highest with 81 fatalities, followed by 68 in Balasore district, and 60 in Ganjam district from 2022 to 2024.
The Minister’s data indicated that there were 306 deaths in 2022-23 and 272 in 2023-24 due to lightning strikes.
In the current fiscal year of 2024-25, there have been 201 confirmed deaths. Compensation has been disbursed to the families of 77 victims, while 124 cases are still pending.
In response to a question from a BJD MLA, the Minister stated that the state government has recognized lightning as a distinct disaster since April 1, 2015, and has been providing Rs 4 lakh in ex-gratia assistance to the families of the deceased, per the standard.
The ex-gratia payment to the victims’ families matches the SDRF/NDRF norms set by the Centre. The Minister clarified that there are no current plans to increase this amount by revising the existing Odisha Relief Code.
