In a tragic incident on Monday, two cowherds lost their lives due to a lightning strike during a thunderstorm near Narayanpur village, located within the Jarada police jurisdiction in Ganjam district.

The victims have been identified as 55-year-old M Sakili Kaniari and 18-year-old M Bhavesh Kaniari, the son of M Sanya, both residents of Narayanpur village. Local villagers quickly transported them to the Patrapur Community Health Centre, where medical personnel confirmed their deaths.

Authorities from the Jarada police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur and have initiated an investigation into the incident.

The unfortunate event unfolded when the two men were tending to a herd of buffaloes by the riverbank. They had left the animals to graze and were preparing food in a nearby mango orchard when a sudden downpour, accompanied by strong winds and lightning, struck the area. Both cowherds collapsed after being hit by lightning during the storm.