In a heart-wrenching tragedy, three women lost their lives to lightning strikes while working in agricultural fields in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Monday, August 26, 2025.
The incidents occurred in Sarabhimpur and Raulibandha villages under the Chatrapur and Ganjam blocks, casting a pall of grief over the local communities.
The victims, identified as Kuni Gouda (42) and Nirupama Gouda (35) from Sarabhimpur, and Mini Gaoda (52) from Raulibandha, were engaged in routine farming activities when a sudden thunderstorm unleashed deadly lightning. Kuni and Nirupama, relatives working together in a paddy field in Sarabhimpur, were struck and killed instantly. In a separate incident, Mini Gauda met a similar fate while working in a field in Raulibandha.
Local authorities, including the Chatrapur and Ganjam police, along with revenue inspectors, promptly arrived at the scenes to investigate. The bodies of Kuni and Nirupama were taken to Bipulingi Hospital, where doctors declared them dead. Mini Gouda’s body was also sent for post-mortem examination as part of the ongoing investigations. The sudden loss has left families and neighbours in shock, highlighting the unpredictable dangers of lightning strikes during Odisha’s monsoon season.
Odisha is one of India’s most lightning-prone states, with over six lakh lightning strikes recorded annually and 1,418 lightning-related deaths between 2020 and 2025, according to state government data.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued warnings for thunderstorms in the region, but the abrupt nature of the strikes caught the victims unaware. Authorities are now urging farmers to stay vigilant and seek shelter during adverse weather conditions to prevent such tragedies.
The incidents underscore the need for increased awareness and safety measures to protect vulnerable rural communities. Local officials have promised financial assistance to the bereaved families as per government guidelines, but for those left behind, the loss is irreplaceable.
