Twelve people were killed in separate drowning incidents across six different districts in Odisha this Wednesday, as celebrations tied to the Ganesh Visarjan festival took a tragic turn. Authorities have confirmed that six of the victims were children.
The accidents occurred in Jagatsinghpur, Sundargarh, Ganjam, Boudh, Bhadrak, and Koraput districts. Most of the drownings happened while crowds had gathered near water bodies to immerse the clay idols of Lord Ganesha, a ritual that marks the culmination of the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
In Jagatsinghpur district, the situation turned dire when four young men were swept away by the strong current of a canal during the immersion process. Local fire service personnel rushed to the scene and rescued the bodies from the turbulent water. They were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed them dead.
The identified victims include Manojit Swain, Swapnajit Barik, and Rashmiranjan — officials said more identifications are ongoing. Emergency services were deployed across multiple locations after reports of drowning incidents began pouring in from various parts of the state.
Ganesh Visarjan is one of the most widely observed Hindu rituals in eastern India, drawing large crowds to rivers, canals, ponds, and coastal areas every year. The festive atmosphere, however, often coincides with dangerous conditions — strong currents, deep water, and overcrowding at immersion sites have in the past led to similar tragedies in the region.
District administrations in several affected areas have urged citizens to use designated immersion zones equipped with safety measures such as railings, lifeguards, and depth markers. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, and many communities continue to gather at informal water bodies out of tradition or convenience.
Police and disaster management authorities have stated that they are reviewing safety protocols for future festivals, including the deployment of additional rescue teams at high-risk immersion points.
