Bhuvaneshwar - On September 2, a total of 12 individuals tragically lost their lives due to severe thunderstorms and lightning incidents across Odisha, according to the Special Relief Commissioner's (SRC) office. The SRC's official X handle shared this information, revealing that the highest number of fatalities occurred in Khurdha district, with four casualties, while Bolangir witnessed two deaths. Additionally, one fatality was reported from Angul, Boudh, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri districts.

Furthermore, apart from the human casualties, eight cattle also perished in the severe thunderstorms and lightning strikes that affected Gajapati and Kandhamal districts.

In a related development, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that a cyclonic circulation is currently active over the North Bay of Bengal, with the potential for a low-pressure area to form within the next 48 hours. Consequently, numerous parts of Odisha are expected to experience heightened rainfall activity over the next two days, including heavy to very heavy rainfall in select districts of the state until September 7, 2023.