Kalbaisakhi Storm Batters Odisha, Injures Three and Causes Widespread Damage

Bhubaneswar: A powerful spell of Kalbaisakhi storm swept across several parts of Odisha on Friday evening, bringing with it strong winds, heavy rainfall, lightning, and hail, leading to widespread damage and disruption of normal life.

In Bhubaneswar, a lightning strike hit a house in the Somnath Basti area under Niladri Vihar, injuring three members of a family. Locals quickly rescued the victims and rushed them to Capital Hospital. Due to the critical nature of their condition, they were later shifted to a hospital in Cuttack for advanced treatment. Police from Chandrasekharpur reached the spot and have initiated an investigation.

In a separate incident in the Old Station Bazaar area of the city, a large iron hoarding structure under construction collapsed amid strong winds and rain near a Durga Puja mandap. The structure fell on a parked car and two motorcycles, damaging them severely. However, no casualties were reported. Fire service personnel were deployed to clear the debris.

The storm also impacted Cuttack, where a hoarding atop a shop near Sati Chaura Mashani Chowk collapsed due to gusty winds and heavy rain. Emergency teams responded promptly to remove the fallen structure, while traffic movement in several parts of the city was affected due to waterlogging and debris.

In Ganjam district’s Sankhemundi area, strong winds late at night uprooted a large tree, which fell on a shop-cum-house. Hailstorms were also reported from parts of Subarnapur district.

Puri district witnessed severe impact from the storm, particularly in Astranga and Kakatpur, where heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds uprooted multiple trees, disrupting daily life. In Krushnaprasad block, a massive banyan tree collapsed onto a house while ten family members were inside. Remarkably, all occupants escaped without injury.

The incident also damaged several electricity poles, leading to a complete power outage in the affected area. Locals alleged delayed response from the Maluda Fire Department despite repeated calls. Meanwhile, officials from Krushnaprasad police station reached the spot swiftly and are overseeing the situation and ongoing relief efforts.

Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage as normalcy gradually returns in the affected regions.