Anandapur (Kendujhar): Hundreds of people, including men, women and children, thronged the Baitarani riverbed near Anandapur Barrage on Saturday to catch fish after the barrage gates were closed for around two hours for an inspection.
Armed with fishing nets, sticks and bare hands, people scrambled to catch fish as the water level receded. Some were seen selling their catch, while others carried the fish home. Even passers-by stopped to join the impromptu fishing spree.
According to Water Resources Department sources, a team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, arrived on Saturday to inspect the barrage. The department temporarily closed all the gates in the morning as part of the process.
The sound of the siren announcing the closure prompted people to rush into the riverbed in large numbers to catch fish. A similar scene was witnessed on Tuesday evening during a trial closure of the barrage gates.
While the opportunity to catch fish drew enthusiastic crowds, the presence of large numbers of people in the riverbed also raised safety concerns. Authorities and visitors need to exercise caution to prevent any untoward incident.
