Boat carrying Kartik Purnima pilgrims capsizes in Mahanadi, timely rescue averts major disaster

A major mishap was averted on Kartika Purnima as a boat carrying devotees capsized in the Mahanadi River near Kandarpur village under the Athagarh police limits in Cuttack district on Wednesday evening.

The devotees were returning from the sacred Shaiva shrine located on an island in the middle of the river after attending the Kartik Purnima fair at Amangeikuda when the boat overturned close to the riverbank.

According to eyewitnesses, several devotees had crossed the Mahanadi River early in the morning to offer prayers at the shrine and take part in the holy rituals associated with Kartika Purnima. While returning in the evening, one of the boats lost balance and capsized due to overloading and the strong river current.

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Panic spread among the passengers as the boat overturned, but thanks to the timely intervention of locals, the fire services team, and Athagarh police personnel stationed nearby, all the devotees were rescued safely.

Fire service officials confirmed that no casualties or serious injuries were reported in the incident. The devotees, although shaken, were provided immediate assistance on the riverbank. Authorities have launched an inquiry into the mishap and advised visitors to strictly follow safety measures during river crossings.

Locals have urged the administration to increase safety patrols and regulate the number of passengers on boats during large gatherings like Kartik Purnima to prevent such close calls in the future.