Bhubaneswar, Sept 17: At least 15 people, including several minors, drowned in separate incidents across Odisha on Wednesday, with a majority of the deaths reported during Ganesh idol immersion ceremonies. The incidents were reported from several districts, turning festive celebrations and religious rituals into scenes of mourning.In Jagatsinghpur district, four young men drowned after being swept away by strong currents in a river near Pandawa Gopalpur under Erasama police limits. The victims were taking part in a Ganesh idol immersion ceremony organised by a local village club.Locals managed to rescue one of the youths initially and alerted the authorities. Fire services personnel, villagers and divers subsequently launched a search and rescue operation. All four were eventually recovered and rushed for medical treatment, but doctors declared them dead.The deceased were identified as Sushil Palei, Manjit Swain, Rashmiranjan Nayak and Swapnajit Barik, aged between 20 and 25.Residents later raised concerns over the lack of designated safe immersion points and adequate safety arrangements for small, village-level Ganesh celebrations.In Ganjam district, three people, including two minors, reportedly drowned in separate incidents. Two minors died in Hinjilikatu, while another person drowned in Digapahandi. The victims were identified as Adarsha Sahu of Bainchania village in Hinjilikatu, and Pritam Samal and Sitanshu Jena of Digapahandi block.In Rayagada district, three minor girls drowned in Salangabahal village under Rayagada police station limits. The deceased were identified as Sibika Sahu (6), Gitika Sahu (6) and Surati Kumari (8). According to preliminary reports, the girls had gone to collect sand for a Karama Puja ritual when the incident occurred.A drowning was also reported from Siria Bahal village in Kendujhar district, where Raya Munda (44) lost his life.In Koraput district, Lima Dishari, a resident of Tikarapada village, drowned while taking a bath.In Nayagarh district, Pabana Swain (59) of Thuabari village under Nuagaon police station died after drowning.Another drowning was reported from Panikoili in Jajpur district, where Saroj Ghadei died.In Bhadrak district, Piyush Dash, a Class IX student from Digachhia under Chandabali block, drowned during a Ganesh idol immersion ceremony.The spate of incidents across the state has cast a pall of gloom over the festive period and renewed concerns over safety arrangements at water bodies used for religious rituals and idol immersions.
One day, 15 deaths: Odisha’s festivities turn into scenes of grief
