
NEW DELHI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 52 people were killed and several others injured, some of them critically due to lightning in India's eastern state of Odisha during past three days, officials said Tuesday.
The lightning struck across several districts of the state causing fatalities and injuries to people.
On Saturday lightning killed 41 people and injured 35 others, while as on Sunday it struck again and claimed 11 lives.
Officials said most of the casualties were reported from agricultural fields as people were busy sowing paddy seedlings, when lightning hit them.
"As per data available with the office of special relief commissioner 52 deaths have taken place in the state due to lightning during the two days," an official said.
The injured who were admitted at different hospitals were said to be going under treatment.
Officials said, the local government in Odisha has declared lightning as a state specific disaster.
The state's government has announced an ex-gratia relief of 5993 U.S. dollars to each family who have lost their member in the disaster.
India's state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said lightning claims more human lives than any other natural disaster in Odisha. More than 1500 people have died due to lightning strikes across Odisha in last five years, AIR said.
As per India's National Crime Records Bureau at least 2,000 people have died in lightning strikes in India every year since 2005.
Who Will Fit The Chinese Roles In Game Of Thrones?
China's Hubei Shennongjia added to World Heritage List
"Straddling bus" starts production in east China
Girl goes viral for finger-long toes
Five made-in-China hi-tech breakthroughs
HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to open to traffic
China opens its first combined transport service to Nepal
Students take stylish bikini graduations photos
Charming dancing students pose for graduation photos
Top 10 livable Chinese cities
Top 20 hottest women in the world in 2014
Top 10 hardest languages to learn
China’s Top 10 Unique Bridges, Highways and Roads
The Chinese version of Tomb Raider attracts audiences from around the globe
Former senior religion official calls on govt to bring house churches out of darkness
Chinese tourists cancel trips to South Korea after THAAD
Exhibition without the exhibitionism Day|Week