Cyclone Titli aftermath: 9 casualties reported in Odisha amid heavy rain, floods

Bhubaneswar: Caught unawares by the heavy rain that followed cyclone Titli, the Odisha government has failed to achieve its ‘zero casualty’ target. As many as nine persons including a two-year-old lost their lives in separate incidents across the State due to heavy rainfall triggered by the cyclone.

In Gajapati, a couple died after the wall of a marble factory at Labanyagada village under Gosani block collapsed on them. The deceased, identified as native of Balasore were engaged as workers at the marble factory. Similarly, an elderly woman lost her life after the wall of her house collapsed following incessant rain at Dhidinguda village under Kashinagar block of the district.

In another incident, two persons died in Nayagarh district after being swept away in the swelling river following incessant rain. The district’s Assistant Collector informed that one of the deceased has been identified as Abhimanyu Majhi of Odagaon whereas identity of the other person, who was a native of Ranapur area, is yet to be established.

In Kandhamal, a youth died after being swept away in a flooded nullah near Penjisahi.

An elderly man was killed in another house wall collapse incident in Ratilo village under Salepur block of Cuttack district whereas a two-year-old died under similar circumstances in Maniabandha village under Harichandanpur police limits of Keonjhar district.

Similarly, in Angul, an elderly woman was reportedly killed after being swept away in flood water in Angarabandha village.