ODISHA GOVERNMENT URGES CENTRE TO DECLARE LIGHTNING AS NATURAL DISASTER

Bhubaneswar(06/09/2023): The Odisha government has urged the Centre to declare lightning as natural disaster and sought ex-gratia for the families of the people who lost their lives due to lightning strikes. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallick said, "A proposal has been given to the Centre to include lightning in the list of Centre's natural disasters and provide financial help.

The state government has given an ex-gratia of Rs 4,00,000 to the families of the people who died due to lightning strikes." On September 2, about 60,000 lightning strikes occurred in the Odisha sky in just two hours.

Owing to the strong lightning, 12 people died while 14 others sustained injuries in the state.

Besides, several animals including cattle and goats were killed in extreme lightning activities in the state.