Tragic Thunderstorm Incident Claims Two Lives in Bolangir District

Fatal Accident During Thunderstorm

Bolangir: A tragic incident unfolded on Friday afternoon when a tree fell on an auto-rickshaw during a thunderstorm near Kasabahal village in the Puintala block of Bolangir district. This unfortunate event took place amidst a Nor’wester storm characterized by strong winds and light rain.

A sizable neem tree was uprooted and crashed onto the moving auto-rickshaw, resulting in the immediate deaths of both the driver and a passenger. The victims were identified as 24-year-old Gulam Mustafa Mohammad from Jhilimunda village near Balikhamar, and 55-year-old Nadi Nanda from Tandamunda village within the Puintala police jurisdiction. Reports indicate that the storm commenced around 4 PM, bringing with it heavy winds and sporadic rain. Gulam Mustafa was en route to Bolangir, while Nadi Nanda was traveling to a wedding in Lirkipali from Atgaon.

The tree fell just a short distance from the Kasabahal bridge, crushing the auto-rickshaw and killing both men instantly. Emergency services, including the fire brigade and police, arrived promptly to clear the debris and recover the bodies. The deceased were transported to the mortuary at Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital. Anita Pradhan, the IIC of Puintala police station, visited the site and has begun an investigation. Local residents have called for immediate government support for the families of the victims, highlighting their dire financial circumstances.