Odisha tourists get stuck in dam after makeshift raft breaks 

Over 15 tourists were stranded in the middle of a dam in Balasore district on Monday after a makeshift bamboo raft they were being ferried on fell to pieces. 

According to sources, Bugalibandh Dam runs through Babandha village under Nilagiri Police limits of Balasore district.  There is an islet on one side of the dam where a local person has set up a resort.  To go to the resort, people from the other side of the dam would use a raft made of bamboo poles with some clay pots tied to it. 

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Today being New Year’s Day, the footfall at the resort was more than that of the normal days. Over 15 tourists including children were returning from the tourist spot on the raft when the mishap occurred. It is alleged that the raft broke due to overloading. 

It is alleged that the resort was being run illegally. 

No comments have been received from the district administration.