Jharsuguda: At least eight persons were killed and several others injured as massive thunderstorm slammed western Odisha on Saturday night. Six of those killed include fishermen whose boats capsized in Hirakud reservoir because of the storm.
In yesterday�s massive thunderstorm, one eight years old Vivek Kumar Seth of Lakhanpur Village died when a branch of a mango grove had fallen over him. In another incident, Bisambhar Bhoi (60 yrs) resident of Singhapali Village of Lakhanpur died due to lighting. In various places several electric poles and the houses were damaged in the Lakhanpur Block.
Similarly, in a separate major tradegy in the Jharsuguda district, six fishermen died due to their boat capsized in the Hirakud Reservoir while they were fishing on Saturday.
The six deceased fishermen were Tejraj Kalo (70 yrs), Bibhuti B. Kalo (35 yrs) of Thebra village, Jagannath Dhuruva (35 yrs) of Sagarpali , Purnima Mallick (45 yrs) of Kuda baga under Rengali P.S., Khusiram Sa (28 yrs) of Sagarpali among them, the body of one Dukhanasan Roudia (37 yrs) of Birenbandh is still missing, but however it is presumed to be dead.
�As there were regular fishermen, they had gone for fishing, when this thunderstorm which came as a surprise, and due to strong wind this incident happened.� Said Tankadhar Meher, resident of Thebra village
However, after the information, the fires rescue team along with the Dist. Administration rushed to the spot and had started the rescue operation in which fisherman�s dead bodies were fished out from the reservoir.
�Till now five dead bodies have been recovered, however one is still missing, the fire rescue team is on their rescue operation. The victims family members will be provided 15,000 each under Red Cross society along with Rs. 2000 which has already been provided for the cremations under Harish Chandra Yojana. Additionally, the victim�s family will be covered under Mu Kudiya Yojana, Rs. 20,000 each will be provided under National Benefit Scheme, Widow Pension.� Said by Jharsuguda Dist. Collector Smt. Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar.
