Odisha: Children Among 5 Killed After Under-Construction Culvert Collapses. CM Announces Ex Gratia

The incident took place in Uparsaja village in Kalyansinghpur block when they were bathing in the rainwater that accumulated under the culvert.

Five people, mostly children, were killed in Odisha’s Rayagada district on Monday after an under-construction culvert collapsed on them, said the police. The incident took place in Uparsaja village in Kalyansinghpur block when they were bathing under it, as per a PTI report. They were bathing in the rainwater that accumulated under the culvert. According to the police, there were four children among the deceased. 

A rescue team comprising fire service and police personnel was working to clear the debris, they said, adding that they suspected that more people might be trapped under the debris.  

Odisha Law Minister Jagannath Saraka, Rayagada MLA Makaranda Muduli, and Superintendent of Police reached the spot and took stock of the situation, as per a Odishatv.in report. 

“The loss of five lives has shattered me. As per the rule, necessary compensation will be provided to the family members of the deceased,” Saraka said.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an ex gratia of Rupees 4 lakh to the family members of those killed in the mishap. 

While the exact reason behind the mishap is yet to be ascertained, incessant rains are believed to be the reason behind culvert collapse, as per the report quoted above. 

The state has been receiving heavy rainfalls and the India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy downpour in north and interior parts of the state with formation of a fresh low pressure area over north Odisha and adjoining Gangetic West Bengal. 

Places such as Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Boudh experienced some rainfall on Saturday, reported PTI quoting IMD sources as saying. 

It also forecast heavy rainfall at some places of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, Angul, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Boudh, Balangir and Kandhamal districts on Sunday.

Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Dhenkanal, Angul, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Balangir, Kandhamal on July 31 due to the impact of the low pressure, the IMD said.