Heavy rain lashed Sambalpur on Monday, disrupting daily life and triggering a tragic incident behind the City Railway Station where two youths were swept away by a sudden surge of water in a nullah.
Local residents and rescue teams rushed to the spot and pulled one youth to safety. The second youth remains missing as the search operation continues. Fire services and local administration teams intensified rescue efforts, but strong water currents in the drain and adjoining channels hinder progress.
Officials urged residents to stay away from waterlogged zones and overflowing drains. The administration issued safety advisories across the city, warning of rising water levels and unstable ground conditions.
Continuous rainfall under the prevailing depression has inundated several low-lying areas in western Odisha. Sambalpur recorded heavy to very heavy showers overnight, leaving roads submerged and traffic movement severely affected.
Authorities remain on high alert as the depression over south Jharkhand and north interior Odisha continues to trigger widespread rainfall. The rescue operation behind the railway station reflects the growing danger posed by the monsoon fury sweeping across the region.
