Boat drifts towards Mahanadi rivermouth due to glitch in motor, 30 passengers rescued

Mahakalpara: A boat got drifted towards Mahanadi rivermouth at Bahakuda Ghat under Mahakalpara block in Kendrapara district, following a glitch in its motor today.

A private source said that, with surge in floodwater, the motorboat could not be controlled. The boat got swept away in floodwater up to a distance of around four to five kilometres.

The boat was on its way from Musadiha Ghat of Paradip to Bahakuda Ghat of Kendrapara.

However, as many as 30 passengers on board were later rescued and brought to a safer place. They had not reached ashore till filing of this report.

Meanwhile, taking to his official Twitter handle, Kendrapara district Collector wrote, “All passengers have been rescued and brought to the Kharinasi and Bahakud jetty points by a team of Fire officials, Jamboo Marine police and local boatsmen. All are safe now and have reached the landmass near the ghats @PradeepJenaIAS @SRC_Odisha.”