Puri, May 14 (UNI) A youth drowned in Narendra Tank on Wednesday during the “Chapakhela” ritual of the Chandan Yatra festival in the holy town of Puri.
Fire services personnel and lifeguards recovered the body, which was then sent to the District Headquarters Hospital for post-mortem by Kumbharpara police. The youth remains unidentified, according to police sources.
The incident occurred despite multiple safety measures implemented by the administration to prevent accidents and drowning.
In response to last year’s tragic firecracker mishap during the concluding Bhaunri festival — which claimed the lives of 17 devotees, the administration had ramped up safety protocols this year.
Lifeguards, fire service personnel, several platoons of police, and first-aid centres were deployed around Narendra Tank. A rope barrier was also installed near the tank steps to enhance safety and prevent drowning.
