A massive swarm of insects caused significant disruption to traffic on the Kharasrota Bridge in Jajpur, Odisha, on November 8, 2025.
The dense swarm of insects, which gathers every year around this time, severely impacted vehicles passing through the bridge that connects Jajpur with Bhubaneswar.
Videos circulating on social media show thousands of insects swarming across the bridge, making it difficult for vehicles to move smoothly. Commuters reported that the situation worsened at night, with the insects continuously flying over the bridge and surrounding areas.
The insects not only created a visibility problem but also made the road surface slippery, leading to minor accidents. Two-wheeled vehicles struggled to maintain balance, while cars, buses, and trucks were forced to come to a halt due to the swarm.
Local residents say that the insects seem to appear every year during the transition to winter, attracted to the bright lights from vehicles. They are believed to nest along the riverbanks and in the nearby forested areas, only to be drawn out as temperatures dip. While the swarm creates a loud buzzing sound, especially around moving vehicles, it’s also known for causing visibility issues, particularly at night.
Despite the annual nature of this problem, no preventive measures have been put in place by the local administration, which has prompted local residents to call for urgent action.
One resident shared, “The Kharasrota bridge is one of the busiest routes in our region. Last night, the swarm caused several accidents due to reduced visibility. The insects made the road slippery, and even vehicles that applied brakes still skidded.”
Residents have informed the local authorities multiple times about the issue, but no effective solution has been implemented so far. The increasing frequency of these incidents is pushing locals to demand better management and proactive measures to prevent such disturbances in the future.
