Flood Fury / Flood Claims First Fatality in Jajpur as Vegetable Trader's Body Recovered

Jajpur/Dhenkanal, Jul 31: The ongoing flood situation in Odisha's Jajpur district claimed its first reported fatality after the body of a vegetable trader, who was swept away by strong floodwaters two days ago, was recovered on Friday.

Meanwhile, search operations continued in Dhenkanal district for a woman who went missing after reportedly venturing near Sapua river -- a small tributary of the Mahanadi river.

Body Recovered After Two-Day Search In Jajpur
The body of Ajay Sahoo, a vegetable trader from Mugudi village under Jafarpur panchayat in Jajpur district, was recovered after an intensive two-day search operation by Fire Services and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF).

According to a source, Sahoo was returning home after selling vegetables when he was swept away by floodwaters near Saipur village. The stretch was reportedly submerged under more than five feet of fast-flowing water at the time of the incident.

Rescue teams had been conducting continuous search operations since the incident before recovering his body on Friday.

Officials said this is the first reported flood-related death in Jajpur district during the current spell of flooding.

Also Read: More Than 4.68 Lakh People Hit by Floods in Bhadrak, Massive Relief Drive Underway

Woman Missing In Dhenkanal
In a separate incident, a woman has gone missing in Dhenkanal district after reportedly going near the Sapua river in Kottam village under Odapada block.

The missing woman has been identified as Nisha Chhatar, wife of Adhikari Chhatar.

According to family members, she did not return home after going out for open defecation near the river on Thursday evening, prompting an extensive search. When local efforts failed to trace her, the Fire Services team from Rasol panchayat was alerted.


Search Operations To Resume
Fire Services personnel carried out search operations until late evening on July 30 but failed to locate the woman. The search was suspended due to fading light and resumed the following morning, with rescue teams and family members continuing efforts.

Officials said no trace of the missing woman had been found at the time of filing this report, and search operations remain underway.