Baliguda,3rd Oct 2025: A tragic incident occurred in Bhandaru village under Dharakot Panchayat of Kotagarh block in Baliguda subdivision, Kandhamal district, where a minor girl died due to a lightning strike.
As per reports, on Thursday afternoon, like every other day, Rika Mallick (16), daughter of late Kupi Mallick, had gone to her jhudunga (vegetable) garden after lunch. Unfortunately, while she was in the garden, she was struck by lightning and died on the spot.
When Rika didn’t return home on time, her mother went to the garden and found her daughter’s lifeless body lying there. Shocked, she immediately informed the villagers.
After receiving the news, the villagers rushed to the spot and suspected lightning to be the cause of death. They promptly informed Kotagarh Police.
The Kotagarh police arrived at the scene, conducted a preliminary investigation, and sent the body to Kotagarh Medical for post-mortem after seizing it as part of the official procedure.