A powerful Kalbaisakhi (Nor’wester) storm struck Puri on Friday night, bringing strong winds that caused widespread disruption and claimed one life in the district.
The intense gusts led to chaos in the town, with heavy dust storms reducing visibility and severely affecting normal traffic movement.
In the Grand Road (Bada Danda) area, strong winds toppled traffic barricades and hoardings onto the road, forcing temporary suspension of vehicle movement. Commuters and locals faced significant inconvenience due to the sudden dusty squall.
In a tragic incident in the Pipili police station limits, a coconut tree uprooted by the fierce winds fell on a man, resulting in his instant death. The deceased has been identified as Jaluwa Behera from Alis village under Teisipur Panchayat in Satasankha area of Pipili block, Puri district.
According to local sources, the incident occurred near the village temple while a traditional Pala (performance) was underway.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind during the Kalbaisakhi blew with great force, snapping the coconut tree which fell directly on Behera, who was present at the spot. He died on the spot, as confirmed by villagers.
