Odisha Reports 416 Fire-Related Deaths in Three Years; 6,500 Lives Lost to Natural Disasters in Five Years
Synopsis
In Odisha, fire accidents have claimed 416 lives over three years, with significant losses in property. Meanwhile, natural disasters have resulted in over 6,500 fatalities in just two years, highlighting ongoing public safety challenges.
Key Takeaways
416 deaths due to fire accidents in three years.
Natural disasters claimed 6,578 lives in two years.
Leading cause of deaths is drowning, followed by lightning.
Significant property damage of Rs 27.84 crore .
Snakebite fatalities remain a public health concern.
Bhubaneswar, March 19 (NationPress) A total of 416 individuals have tragically lost their lives due to fire incidents in Odisha over the past three years, as disclosed by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari in a formal written response in the state assembly on Thursday.
Statistics indicate that 192 fatalities occurred in fire accidents in Odisha during the fiscal year 2022-23. This number has seen a gradual decrease in subsequent years, with 118 deaths reported in 2023-24 and 106 fatalities in 2024-25, suggesting a slow but positive trend in reducing fire-related deaths.
In addition to the loss of life, the data presented in the assembly highlighted a significant loss, with properties valued at Rs 27.84 crore damaged by fire incidents throughout the last three years.
Furthermore, Minister Pujari revealed that during the last two financial years, 6578 individuals have succumbed to natural disasters such as snakebites, lightning strikes, and drowning.
Specifically, the state faced 2006 drowning deaths in 2023-24, which slightly decreased to 1854 in the following year. Drowning remains the primary cause of disaster-related fatalities in Odisha, despite an uptick in lightning-related deaths during 2024-25.
Lightning fatalities rose from 286 in 2023-24 to 314 in 2024-25, while deaths from snakebites declined significantly from 1,147 to 971 in the same period, according to the reported data.
Odisha has consistently ranked among the Indian states with the highest incidence of snakebite fatalities, underscoring an ongoing public health concern.
In response to another inquiry, Minister Pujari confirmed that a total of 1336 individuals have lost their lives due to lightning over the past five years.
Point of View
Reflecting serious public health and safety challenges. The government must prioritize measures to combat these issues effectively.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many deaths occurred due to fire accidents in Odisha over the last three years?
A total of 416 individuals lost their lives in fire accidents across Odisha during the last three years.
What are the main causes of natural disaster-related deaths in Odisha?
The primary causes of natural disaster-related deaths in Odisha include drowning, lightning strikes, and snakebites.
What is the trend in fire-related fatalities in Odisha?
Fire-related fatalities showed a decline, with 192 deaths in 2022-23, 118 in 2023-24, and 106 in 2024-25.
How much property damage has occurred due to fire accidents in Odisha?
Properties worth Rs 27.84 crore have been reported damaged in fire incidents over the last three years.
What measures can be taken to reduce fatalities from natural disasters?
Improved public awareness, safety programs, and emergency response strategies can significantly reduce fatalities from natural disasters.
