Elderly woman dies after falling into overflowing drain in Smart City Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Tension prevailed at Jaydev Vihar area as an elderly woman died after allegedly falling into an open drain here on Thursday. The deceased has been identified as T Akamma of Salia Sahi area of the city.

As per reports, the incident occurred due to acute waterlogging following thundershowers that lashed the Smart City this evening.

Eyewitnesses said that the elderly woman got swept away after she fell in the open drain. Later, the locals and police recovered Akkama's body from the drain.

The incident sparked tension with irate locals staging a road blockade by placing the dead body on VIP road.

Following the incident, senior officials of Commissionerate Police including Twin City police commissioner Satyajit Mohanty and Bhubaneswar DCP Anup Sahoo reached the spot and held discussions with the agitators.

Several areas in Bhubaneswar including Nayapalli and Jaydev Vihar were waterlogged following the heavy downpour this evening. Resentment is also brewing among locals residents over absence of proper drainage.

"Roads are flooded even after a short spell of rain. As there are potholes and several open drains, there is always a risk to life," said a commuter.