Paralakhemundi: A 35-year-old man was killed and his younger brother sustained serious injuries after they were struck by lightning in Gajapati district on Friday.
The incident occurred at Katama village under Anugur Panchayat in the R. Udayagiri police station limits when the two brothers were returning after collecting PDS rice from the panchayat office.
The deceased has been identified as Jiraj Rait (35), while the injured, Moses Rait (20), was rescued and admitted to the R. Udayagiri Community Health Center (CHC), where he is undergoing treatment.
According to local sources, the duo had gone to the Anugur Panchayat Office earlier in the day to collect PDS rice. They were struck by lightning while on their way back to the village. Jiraj died on the spot. He was later taken to the CHC, where doctors declared him dead.
The incident has cast a pall of gloom over Katama village, with residents mourning the untimely death of the young villager.
