Kendrapara/Chilika: The death of ten persons in a boat capsize in the Mahanadi confluence near Nipania in Kendrapara district January 2 is one of the major boat mishaps in Odisha.
Odisha has witnessed similar mishaps in the past too and these have time and again raised questions over safety measures being followed by the boat operators.
Hirakud Boat Tragedy: The 2014 Hirakud boat disaster was an accident that occurred on the afternoon of February 9, 2014 when 31 passengers had drowned in the Hirakud reservoir in Sambalpur.
The incident occurred when a boat carrying about 115 passengers on board capsized in the reservoir. The disaster killed 31 picnickers while the motorboat in which they were traveling, capsized in the middle of the reservoir near Pitapali area.
Satabhaya Boat Tragedy: Mass-evacuation of people from coastal areas ahead of cyclone Hudhud had claimed that lives of a minor girl and a boy while a boat carrying about 35 people, including women and children from the seaside village Satabhaya in Krushnaprasad block of Puri district, capsized in the crocodile-infested Baunsagali river within Bhitarkanika National Park of Kendrapada district July 4, 2015.
The deceased were Puja Mallick (9), daughter of Mahendra Mallick and the boy Hemanta Mallick (11), son of Kumbha Mallick.
The people were shifting from the low-lying area of Satabhaya to the cyclone shelter at Okilapala when the boat capsized after it hit the roots of mangrove trees.
Chilika Boat Tragedy: At least four people including two babies when a country boat carrying picnickers from Sabulia under Rambha police limits in Ganjam district capsized in the Chilika lake December 10, 2016.
The incident occurred when the motorised fishing boat on its way to Ghantasila from Sabulia, carrying 29 people, capsized in the lake after losing balance. Locals say the boat was carrying more passengers than its capacity.
Most of the passengers were from Sabolia Village of Rambha block in Ganjam district. According to locals, the group had come to attend a marriage at Sabolia village and they were headed to Ghantasiala village for a picnic. Twenty-two people were rescued immediately and rushed to Berhampur Government Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
Chilika Boat Tragedy: At least six persons drowned when a country boat, carrying 18 tourists from Kalijai temple, capsized in Chilika lake near Balugan in Khurda district June 16, 2018. The boat capsized after it was caught in a thunderstorm, accompanied by strong wind and rains. Luckily, twelve others were rescued.
Brahmani Boat Tragedy: More than 20 persons had drowned in the Brahmani. All of them were unmarried young girls. The disaster occurred on the second day of the Raja Festival in June 2008.
Brahmani Boat Tragedy: Eleven people were feared drowned in a boat capsize in the turbulent waters of Brahmani river in Dhenkanal district September 2, 2011.
Similarly, six persons died after a boat carrying as many as 50 people capzied in Brahmani river in Dhenkanal March 7, 2016.
The incident occurred when villagers of Surapatrapur of Bhuban block were on their way through the Chandipal ghat on Brahmani river to worship at Goudeswar Mahadev on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.
PNN
