Elderly man in Odisha survives 2 months inside box culvert pipe, rescued

A 60-year-old man from Odisha has amazed locals and authorities alike after being found alive inside the pipe of a box culvert, where he had been staying for nearly the last two months, an official source said on Tuesday.

John Kandulana, from Takara Rengalbedha village located under Lahunipada Police limits of Sundargarh district, was reportedly missing two months ago.

Also Read: Woman 'swept away in Mahanadi from Chhattisgarh' rescued in Odisha’s Jharsuguda

The improbable discovery was made in Tensa locality, and has left his family and the wider community astounded. The dilapidated box culvert located at a secluded place, which is deemed unsuitable for any prolonged habitation, became an unexpected shelter for the elderly man.

Local police have launched an investigation to uncover how he managed to endure in such an inhospitable environment.
After the elderly man went missing, his family launched a frantic search at all probable locations but to no avail. They had remained silent since then.

Locals were both relieved and perplexed by his ability to survive without the basic necessities of life. John’s ordeal raises significant questions about survival and resilience in the face of adversity.

Must Read: Odisha man fakes own death to avail insurance money; arrested

When contacted, Tensa outpost in-charge Sudarshan Dehury said, “I got to know about the elderly man from some local youths. They told me that someone has been using the deserted pipe as a hideout. Initially, I thought him to be either an anti-social or a thief.”

“After proper verification one night, I ascertained him to be a local man. Later, the youths provided him winter clothes and sent him to his family. I do not know as to what he was eating and how he was managing to stay there,” the cop expressed.