Cuttack: Three persons were killed after lightning struck them in different places of the district this evening.
The deceased persons have been identified as Sanjay Behera of Bindhanima, Kabi Bal of Hatamal and Nila Behera of Shyampur village.
According to reports, lightning struck them while they were transplanting paddy sapling in farmlands along with others.
The lightning strike also left two other persons injured. They have been admitted to Athagarh Community Health Centre (CHC) in critical condition.
Meanwhile, the Bhubaneswar-based regional Meteorological department forecasted heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours.
Ms Kalinga