Nor’wester snaps road links in Odisha districts, uproots trees

Berhampur: At least two persons were injured and road communication between Aska and Balugaon was disrupted following uprooting of roadside trees at several places in Khallikote, Beguniapada and Nirmalajhar in Ganjam district even as heavy rain, thunderstorm and high-speed winds lashed different parts of the district under the influence of a Nor’wester on Sunday afternoon.Two persons were reportedly injured after being struck by lightning near Kodala and had to be admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.Several trees were uprooted on the stretch between Khallikote-Nirmaljhar and Beguniapada to Tiridi disrupting road communication from Aska to Balugaon, sources said.Several other parts of the district also witnessed heavy downpour.Earlier, the IMD has issued an orange warning to the district for heavy rain, thunderstorm with surface winds touching speeds of 50km per hour.Fire tenders and police officers rushed to clear roads of logs and debris right after the rain. “Road communication is expected to be restored late evening,” said an officer.