Sundaragada: Two women labourers were killed and more than 20 others injured after lightning struck a paddy field in Balishankara area of Sundaragada district on Tuesday, police said.
The deceased were identified as Champa Tirkey and Sushila Tirkey, residents of Baradihi area in neighbouring Chhattisgarh.
The incident occurred at Batipada under Talsara police station when the two women, along with other labourers, were engaged in transplanting paddy seedlings as part of the ongoing kharif farming season.
According to reports, thunderstorms and rain lashed the area in the afternoon when lightning struck the field with high intensity. Champa and Sushila collapsed at the spot and died, while over 20 other labourers sustained injuries.
The injured were rescued and rushed to the Sundaragada District Headquarters Hospital for treatment.
The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the area as farming activities continue across the State amid frequent thunderstorms and lightning.
