Five Odisha farmers killed in lightning strike

Five farmers were killed and two others injured after lightning struck them in Odisha's Kendrapara district on Wednesday, police said. Two deaths each due to lightning-related incidents were reported from Garadpur and Mahakalpada blocks and one from Marshaghai area, they said.

The deceased persons were identified as Dillip Mallick, Aajay Naik, Papuni Das, Ranga Behera and Bijoy Naik, said officials of the district emergency office. The victims were in paddy fields when lightning struck them, they said.

An ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each is being given to family members of deceased farmers, said officials..