Bhubaneswar: An elderly man lost his life after he was struck by lightning in Sambalpur district and a tourist went missing in Mahendragiri hills in Gajapati district as Nor’westers lashed several places across Odisha on Sunday.

Several houses, shops and other properties were also damaged as Nor’wester wreaked havoc in Khallikot area of Ganjam district.

Lightning struck 2 siblings

As per reports, a 60-year-old man was killed after being struck by lightning in Jujumura area of Sambalpur district in the afternoon. The deceased has been identified as Biplab Behera of Baghiapada village in Boudh district.

The incident took place while Biplab and his younger brother Balaram (57) were on their way to a relative’s house at Jujumura in the afternoon.

The two siblings reportedly took shelter at a rest shed when Nor’wester lashed Jujumura. The duo was critically-injured after lightning struck the rest shed, reports said.

The locals rescued the injured and rushed them to a nearby hospital. The two siblings were shifted to Sambalpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) after their condition deteriorated.

However, Biplab was declared dead on arrival by the doctors at the DHH. The condition of Balaram is stated to be stable.

Ops on to rescue missing tourist

Several places in Gajapati district witnessed Nor’westers in the afternoon. A tourist reportedly went missing in Mahendragiri hills after Nor’wester lashed the area.

As per reports, four tourists from Niali area in Cuttack district were on a visit to the picturesque Mahendragiri. One among them, identified as Binod Jena, reportedly went missing after the Nor’wester rain. 

On being informed, the police and officials of the Forest Department launched an operation to trace the missing tourist.