Tragic lightning strike claims three lives in Rayagada district

Koraput: Three persons were killed and two others critically injured when lightning struck Haripur forest near Bishnuguda village under Seskhal police station limits in Rayagada district on Friday evening.According to sources, five people were working in a cotton field near Haripur when the mishap occurred. The deceased have been identified as Sambari Pidika, 45, of Bishnuguda village under Pitamahal panchayat, Emel Miniaka, 35, of Lekhaput village, and Giri Miniaka, 32, of Jhumuka village, police said.Sambari’s elder sister Pande Pidika and Tulasi Pidika of Haripur village sustained grievous injuries and were admitted to the district headquarters hospital (DHH).

Their condition is reported to be stable.All of them were working in the cotton field when suddenly heavy rain and thunderstorm started. Unable to move to safety, three persons collapsed on the spot while two others were left badly injured, said a local villager.On receiving information, police from Seskhal station rushed to the spot, seized the bodies, and sent them for post-mortem to the DHH. Police have registered an unnatural death case and launched an investigation, said SDPO (Rayagada) Gourahari Sahu.