As many as 1103 people died due to lightning in Odisha in the last 5 years, answered Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari today while answering to a question put by an MLA in the Assembly .
As per reports, the minister informed in the house that in the last five years, 1103 people have died in the state due to lightning.
Odisha is ahead of all other states in lightning deaths.
The minister also said that Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Balasore districts have more thunderstorms.
In Odisha the govt normally provides ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of a person for lightning death.
Palm trees are being planted to prevent lightning strikes. Rs 7 crores have been given by the forest department to plant palm trees across the state, replied Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari in the House.