Overview
- Nine fatalities, including six women and three minors, have been confirmed across five districts in Odisha due to lightning strikes on May 16, 2025.
- Koraput district reported the highest toll with three deaths, including a grandmother and her granddaughter, while other casualties occurred in Jajpur, Ganjam, Dhenkanal, and Gajapati districts.
- The India Meteorological Department issued red warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, hail, and gusty winds of up to 70 kmph in several districts, including Koraput, Jajpur, and Ganjam.
- Authorities have registered unnatural death cases, launched investigations, and approved ₹4 lakh compensation for each victim’s family under state guidelines.
- Odisha's vulnerability to lightning is underscored by over 1,400 fatalities between 2020 and 2025, with the state continuing efforts to mitigate risks during the pre-monsoon season.