NEW DELHI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least 52 people were killed and several others injured, some of them critically due to lightning in India's eastern state of Odisha during past three days, officials said Tuesday.

The lightning struck across several districts of the state causing fatalities and injuries to people.

On Saturday lightning killed 41 people and injured 35 others, while as on Sunday it struck again and claimed 11 lives.

Officials said most of the casualties were reported from agricultural fields as people were busy sowing paddy seedlings, when lightning hit them.

"As per data available with the office of special relief commissioner 52 deaths have taken place in the state due to lightning during the two days," an official said.

The injured who were admitted at different hospitals were said to be going under treatment.

Officials said, the local government in Odisha has declared lightning as a state specific disaster.

The state's government has announced an ex-gratia relief of 5993 U.S. dollars to each family who have lost their member in the disaster.

India's state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said lightning claims more human lives than any other natural disaster in Odisha. More than 1500 people have died due to lightning strikes across Odisha in last five years, AIR said.

As per India's National Crime Records Bureau at least 2,000 people have died in lightning strikes in India every year since 2005.