Bhubaneswar, July 31 (IANS): At least 33 persons were killed in lightning strikes in the last two days in Odisha, said an official on Monday. While 18 persons were killed by lightning strikes on Sunday, 15 more were reported to have died in the state on Monday, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi said. “However, the exact death toll would be known by Tuesday as the officials are compiling the reports,” said Sethi. Sources said the deaths were reported from Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Baripada, Puri, Deogarh and Khurdha districts. Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh each for the families of 18 persons who were killed in lightning strikes in different parts of the state on Sunday.
