Bhubaneswar: Holi celebrations turned into tragedy after as many as 15 persons were reportedly drowned while taking bath after the festivities in separate incidents in Odisha on Tuesday.
Two teenage boys identified as Subham Kumar Behera and Nishant Padhi of Netaji Nagar area in Cuttack drowned while taking bath in a river on the outskirts of the city. They had gone to Ghatakula ghat along with friends to take bath in the Kuakhai river after the Holi celebrations when they drowned. Though they were rescued from the river and rushed to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, the doctors declared them brought-dead.
Similarly, three persons drowned while taking bath after Holi celebrations in Kenduguda Dam in Gunupur of Rayagada district today. While one of the victims died on the spot, two others were declared dead at Padampur hospital. They were identified as K Varun Achary, Suresh Achary and Abisekh Kumar.
Another youth from Niala village under Aul Police Station in Kendrapara met with a watery grave while taking bath. He was rescued in a critical condition and shifted to a hospital where he was pronounced dead by the doctors.
A woman lost her life after being drowned in a canal near Rangabazar area on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Similarly, a student of a private school in Bhubaneswar drowned while taking bath along with five other friends in Mahanadi river near Naraj today.
In Nilagiri area of Balasore district, a youth identified as Jaga Dasbabu drowned in Bugalibandh dam. Similarly, one person drowned in Mahendratanaya River in Paralakhemundi while a minor boy drowned in a water body in Rairakhol area.
The body of another person who drowned in Indravati river in Nabarangpur district has been retrieved. Another youth drowned in Chitraptala River in Salepur area of Cuttack. Besides, a college student drowned in Jambhira Dam about 20 KM away from Baripada town.
In a related incident, at least 12 persons were injured in a group clash during Holi celebrations in Athagarh area of Cuttack.
According to sources, the clash erupted between the residents of Bhiruda and Panaspatna under Tigiria Police limits following an altercation over rash driving. All the injured have been hospitalised.