Keonjhar/Nuapada: At least five persons including a man and his grandson met with their watery graves while one was reported missing in separate incidents Monday. In the first instance, a minor girl drowned in bid to save her friend while the latter went missing in Goudadiha ghat of Baitarani river under Anandapur block of Keonjhar district Monday morning.
Jayshree Patra (11) along with her friends Preity Patra (12) and Payal Patra (11) had gone to take bath in the river. While Payal was busy washing clothes, Jayshree and Preity got into the river to take bath but were swept in the tides. While, Jayshree’s body was fished out, there has been no trace of Preity till this report was filed.
Similarly, a youth drowned while practicing swimming in a pond at Balabhadrapur village under Anandapur police limits. He was identified as Kulamani Mallick (18), son of Anant Mallick. Sources said, Mallick had gone to practice swimming for a police job when the incident occurred.
In the third incident, bodies of an old man and his grandson were recovered from a pond at Rebadi village under Sinapali block of Nuapada district. The deceased have been identified as Kapurchan Punji (75) and his grandson Bablu Punji (4).
As per family members, Punji with his grandson Bablu had gone to take bath in the village pond Sunday afternoon, but went missing without trace. Family members searched for them after they did not return home. Their bodies were found floating in the pond Monday morning. Sinapali police seized the bodies and sent it for post-mortem.
Similarly, an elderly man drowned while taking bath in a pond at Ekadalia village under Basta block in Balasore district. He was identified as Kumudanand Mohanty (72). Locals said, Mohanty slipped into the pond while taking bath. He was rescued and admitted to Basta CHC where doctors declared him brought dead.
A girl was swept into sea while taking bath along with her family. She was saved by a lifeguard in Puri Monday morning. She was admitted to Puri district headquarters hospital (DHH) and is reportedly out of danger.
PNN