Rajkanika, 20th Aug 2025: In a tragic incident in Aali area of Kendrapara district, 73 buffaloes drowned in a river on Sunday while crossing from one side to the other. Following the sudden death of so many buffaloes at once, three farmers have been left devastated.
The mishap occurred in the Galia river, a branch of the Brahmani, near Ekamania village under Aali police station. On Sunday morning, 88 buffaloes had been released for grazing. While moving ahead, they entered the river. But the river being deep, muddy, and uneven, the animals got stuck and panicked, resulting in the simultaneous drowning of 73 buffaloes. Fortunately, 15 buffaloes managed to survive.
The loss has hit three farmers hard. Ganesh Das of Ekamania village lost 40 buffaloes, of which more than 15 were milch buffaloes, causing him huge financial damage. Jagannath Das lost 17 buffaloes (while 3 survived), and Pagala Bishwal lost 16 (while 12 survived).
The carcasses have been retrieved. The bereaved farmers, in tears, said: “Our livelihood has drowned. These buffaloes were our only source of income. They gave us milk, which sustained our families and children. Now what will we do? How will we survive? The government must help us.”