Bhubaneswar: In an unfortunate incident, two persons were killed after a huge neem tree fell on a passenger auto rickshaw at Kansbahal chhack under Puintala block in Balangir district.
The deceased passenger was identified as Nandya Nanda, while the driver’s identity remains unknown.
According to eyewitnesses, Nanda was travelling in the auto rickshaw from Tandamunda to Kansbahal on Athgaon Road near Balangir town when a severe Kalabaisakhi storm struck the area. A strong gust of wind uprooted the neem tree, which fell on the auto and crushed it. Nanda and the auto driver were crushed to death on the spot.
After the storm subsided, locals informed the Puintala police and fire brigade, who reached the spot and cut down the tree to recover the bodies. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination.
The incident caused significant disruption to traffic. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. The Kalabaisakhi storm also caused damage to nearby homes, blowing away roofs in the Athgaon area.
