At a time when Odisha is celebrating the Raja festival signifying womanhood, at least three women died in an unfortunate landslide incident at Matikhala murram hill near Kolab dam in Koraput district on Saturday.
The deceased have been identified as Purni Jani, Sanmati Jani and Champa Badnayak. All of them were residents of nearby Salmanguda village.
As per reports, as many as 10 persons from Salmanguda village had gone to the hill to dig murram. While they were digging murram, a sudden landslide occurred and in the process, as many as three of them were killed.
NDRF team, fire brigade team, Sub-Collector and local MLA rushed to the spot following the incident. The rescue operation is currently underway. Mining, Forest Department and Tehsil officials have also reached the spot to expedite the rescue operation.
Upon being informed, Koraput Town Police reached the spot immediately and started an investigation into the incident.
A pal of gloom has descended in the area following the tragic incident.