Bhubaneswar: A 24-year-old youth tragically lost his life after being struck by lightning while performing a religious ritual in Kalasuni village under Maitapur panchayat of Balasore district on Wednesday.
The deceased has been identified as Surendra Dash, a resident of Rambindha village in the same district. Surendra, who served as a purohita (priest), was engaged in performing Lakshmi Puja in the locality when the incident occurred.
According to reports, Surendra was holding a microphone and chanting mantras during the puja when a sudden bolt of lightning struck the area. The microphone, believed to have conducted the electric charge, delivered a fatal shock. The impact of the lightning was so severe that Surendra collapsed on the spot, and another person nearby was thrown several feet away due to the force.
Surendra was immediately rushed to Bhadrak District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), but doctors there declared him brought dead.
The sudden and tragic incident has plunged the Maitapur area into mourning, with locals expressing deep sorrow over the untimely death of the young priest.
