Cuttack: Heavy rain from a Bay of Bengal weather system disrupted Durga Puja festivities in Cuttack. The bad weather caused a pandal roof to collapse in Rajabagicha, injuring three people, and led to a separate incident where a decorative gate fell at College Square. 
Durga Puja Pandal Collapse in Cuttack Injures Three


Cuttack city faced mishaps during Durga Puja celebrations due to heavy rainfall. A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal triggered the downpour.

Pandal Collapse Injures Three

On a key festival day, the ceiling of a Durga Puja pandal in Rajabagicha collapsed. The incident injured three people—two women and a man. Eyewitnesses reported that a two-foot section of the ceiling, which supported bamboo poles, gave way around 2 pm . Puja committee members and local residents quickly rescued the injured and moved them to SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Police immediately cordoned off the area and restricted entry to the pandal for safety checks.

Weather and a Second Incident

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had previously issued alerts for heavy rain and strong winds for the region. Just minutes before the Rajabagicha accident, a nearly 40-foot decorative light gate collapsed at College Square in Cuttack. Fortunately, that area was already cordoned off by police, and no one got hurt. These back-to-back incidents have raised concerns about the safety of temporary festive structures during severe weather.

Aftermath and Continued Festivities

The heavy rains also caused power outages and waterlogging in nearby areas . The district administration is working to clear the roads and restore electricity. Despite these disruptions and the ongoing bad weather, the Durga Puja festivities in Cuttack are expected to continue.
We hope the injured recover quickly and that the rest of the festival is safe for all.