India sees more deaths from lightning strikes

At least 40 people were killed and 35 others were injured on Saturday, with some critically, due to lightning across India's eastern state of Odisha.

This is the highest number of deaths due to lightning strikes in one day in the state, according to India's state-run broadcaster, All India Radio (AIR).

Officials said some of the victims were working in the paddyfield, as people were busy sowing paddy seedlings when the lightning hit them.

Lightning claims more human lives than any other natural disasters in Odisha, the AIR reported, adding that more than 1,500 people died due to lightning strikes across the state of Odisha in last five years.

During the past two months, India has seen an unusually high number of deaths from lightning across the country, particularly in the northern part.

On June 22, at least 100 people were killed and scores of others were injured due to overnight lightning in three Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

According to India's National Crime Records Bureau, at least 2,000 people die in lightning strikes in India every year since 2005.

In comparison, lightning kills an average of 40 people in the United States each year and around three in Britain.

India receives 80 percent of its annual rainfall during the monsoon season, namely the rainy season, which runs between June and September. Lightning strikes are common in the country during heavy monsoon rains. Endi