A tragic incident unfolded on the waters of Chilika lake on Thursday morning, resulting in the death of a 58-year-old man. The victim, identified as Uma Shankar Sabat of Berhampur, accidentally fell from a floating bridge vessel near Satapada and succumbed to his injuries.
Sequence of a Fatal Mishap
The ill-fated vessel was carrying approximately 50 passengers, a bus, two cars, and eight motorcycles on its journey from Satapada to Janhikuda in Ganjam district. According to police, Sabat was travelling with family members after a picnic at Rajahansa the previous day. Police suspect he may have fallen while attempting to take photographs of the scenic lake. In a further tragic turn, another motorised boat ran over him in the water, causing severe head injuries.
Local fishermen and fire service personnel launched a search operation after co-passengers reported him missing. Before recovering the body, they found a bag, a cap, and a pair of slippers floating near the vessel. Sabat, a resident of Berhampur who was currently staying in Balimela, Malkangiri district, was pronounced dead.
Recurring Perils on the Chilika Route
The accident has once again cast a spotlight on the persistent dangers of the six-kilometre water route between Janhikuda and Satapada. The floating bridge vessel had already been stuck for several hours due to dense fog over Chilika, a common hazard. Passengers were eventually rescued and ferried to safety on another boat.
Sources indicate that incidents of vessels getting stuck or developing technical snags are reported very frequently on this stretch. The primary cause is the shallow water, which makes navigation hazardous. Local residents point out that a channel dug years ago by the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) to facilitate safe boat movement has since been filled with mud, exacerbating the risk.
Infrastructure Gap and Community Reliance
The lack of a proper bridge connecting Janhikuda and Satapada forces people to depend entirely on this precarious water transport. This dependency, coupled with the deteriorating navigational conditions, creates a recurring safety crisis. The community's call for a permanent solution or significant safety upgrades grows louder with each such incident.
The police investigation into the exact circumstances of Uma Shankar Sabat's fall continues. However, this tragic event underscores the urgent need to address the infrastructural and safety lapses on this vital Chilika lake crossing.
