Kendrapara, Aug 18: In a tragic incident, carcasses of 73 buffaloes were found floating in the Brahmani river near Eakamania village under Aul block in Odisha’s Kendrapara district on Sunday afternoon. The discovery has triggered widespread panic among local villagers, many of whom rely on cattle for their livelihood.

According to officials, the buffaloes belonged to three herders—Ganesh Das, Jagannath Das, and Paramananda Biswal—who had tied their animals near a nullah of the river’s southern channel early Sunday morning. After grazing, the herd entered the water body, where most of them tragically perished. Only 15 buffaloes survived the incident.

Local residents suspect the deaths may have been caused by chemical poisoning from nearby prawn farms. However, the exact cause remains unknown. Scientists from the state-run Animal Diseases Research Institute (ADRI), Cuttack, have launched an investigation to determine the reason behind the mass deaths.

“This is the first such incident in the region,” said Chief District Veterinary Officer Manoj Kumar Patnaik. “We’ve retrieved 44 carcasses so far, and post-mortem examinations are underway.”

The economic impact on the village is expected to be severe. Many of the affected farmers had achieved self-sufficiency through milk production and cattle rearing. The local Sarpanch, Ahalya Biswal, has filed complaints with the Rajnagar Forest Department, Aul Tehsil, and the veterinary hospital, seeking immediate government assistance.

Officials from the Forest Department, Animal Husbandry, and district administration have visited the site. A report will be submitted to the Divisional Forest Officer, who will decide on compensation for the affected families, officials said.
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