Cuttack: A sudden, deafening explosion near the Kathajodi riverbank at Barai Sahi in Gopalpur area under Cuttack Sadar police limits sent shockwaves through surrounding neighborhoods on Tuesday, leaving residents furious.
Locals reported hearing an extremely loud noise originating from the riverbed, which many initially mistook for a major mishap or accident. The sound was so intense that it reverberated up to 10 kilometers away, with several people claiming that the vibrations shattered glass windows in their homes.
Upon rushing to the site, panicked residents were met by police officials who explained that the blast occurred during the controlled destruction of illegally seized firecrackers. Authorities stated that the crackers, confiscated in recent raids, were being safely disposed of in an isolated spot along the river to prevent them from entering the market.
Residents expressed strong outrage, arguing that such high-risk activities should never be carried out in or near populated residential areas. “This is unacceptable,” said a local. “The noise was terrifying—like a bomb went off. Our houses shook, windows broke, and children were crying in fear. Why risk lives and property in a place where people live so close?”
No injuries were reported from the incident itself. The event has reignited local concerns over illegal firecracker trade and storage in the region, as well as questions about how seized explosives are handled. Residents are demanding a thorough inquiry and assurances that similar incidents will not recur.
