Man, who helped save pregnant woman from Hudhud, dies in Odisha
"Sahadev Samal died of pneumonia. He was exposed to prolonged cold. We failed to save him despite our best efforts", said a medical officer of Rajnagar community health centre Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty.
Tragedy had struck on Saturday in sea-erosion hit Satabhaya area of Kendrapara district as a mechanized boat engaged in evacuating pregnant women and children as a safety measure due to the impending cyclone, had capsized in a crocodile-infested Baunsagadi rivulet resulting in the death of a nine-year-old girl.
An eleven-year-old is still untraceable and is feared drowned, local police said."He was a brave soul. I am alive today because of him. I am shocked to know that he is dead. As we screamed for help, he had jumped into the water body to save us. He was an expert swimmer. He towed me to safety", narrated 39-year-old Babuli Mallick, a survivor from Magarkanda village.
Rajnagar
Tehsildar,
Khirod
Behera
said,
"I
had
boarded
the
boat
which
capsized.
The
mishap
took
place
while
it
was
taking
a
turn
towards
the
ghat.
Local
people
had
jumped
into
the
river
to
rescue
the
people.
Sahadev
was
one
of
them".
The
district
administration
gave
Rs
10,000
ex-gratia
towards
the
deceased's
bereaved
family
members,
sources
said.
Locals living in Satabhaya region depend on country boats that help them cross the creek every day. The creek, which is a part of Bhitarkanika river system, is replete with crocodiles.
People living in Satabhaya area under Rajnagar Tehsil are literally living on the edge in the face of unabated erosion by the sea over the years. They are sandwiched between the fury of the sea and governmental apathy. Measures to relocate them to a rehabilitation colony are stuck in bureaucratic red-tape for over two decades, villagers alleged.
PTI