Bhubaneswar, July 31: As many as 34 people have been killed in lightning strikes in the past two days across the state.

Sixteen of those deaths took place today. Eight students of Rasarashikpur UGME School in Athgarh had a narrow escape and got away with injuries when lightning struck today.

Three other people died in lightning in Athgarh. The incidents lightning deaths have been reported from Nishintakoeli in Cuttack, Khurda, Astarnaga in Puri, Tainsara in Deogarh, Jaipatna and Andharua in Bhubaneswar, Badasahi in Mayurbhanj and Dhenkanal. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next kin of those killed.

Local Met office director S.C. Sahu said: "Intense heat and the presence of high content of moisture in the air results in more frequent lightning strikes. Most of the deadly lightning strikes take place in Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj belt."

Floods

Floods continue to wreak havoc in the coastal parts of the state, particularly in Kendrapara. The swelling waters of Brahamani, Baitarani and Kani rivers have made life difficult for the residents of 16 panchayats of Pattamundai, Aul and one panchayat in Kendrapara.

The Brahamani has also flooded many parts of Jajpur district.