Bhubaneswar: Two people, including a woman, died and 29 others were injured as a nor’wester hit four villages in Mayurbhanj district’s Karanjia block, damaging several houses on Sunday. Police Naik (45), who hailed from Keonjhar district, and Malati Mohanta (50) of Tato in Karanjia block died after being stuck in a tornado while they were out on road around 4.30pm. CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and free treatment to injured people.As many as 23 injured people are undergoing treatment at Karanjia hospital, while six critical have been shifted to Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital in Keonjhar.Kia, Kankada, Paniposi and Dumuria villages in Karanjia block were badly affected by the nor’wester and tornado, as well as a hailstorm, spreading panic in the area. Three motorcycles and even people walking on road were blown away, while some trees were uprooted.Mayurbhanj collector Hemakanta Say said the affected people would be given cooked food. People who lost their houses in the calamity would be given necessary assistance, he added.Earlier, around 3pm on Sunday, India Meteorological Department, Bhubaneswar, had issued a warning about light and moderate rain with lightning, accompanied by gusty wind of 30-40kmph, likely over the districts of Mayurbhanj, Nayagarh, Khurda, Cuttack and Ganjam. Hailstorm and thunderstorm warnings were also given.
