Puri: A boat with more than 30 passengers on board got stranded in Chilika lake near Satapada in Odisha’s Puri district on Sunday.
As per preliminary information, the motor boat got stuck in the middle of the lake because of some technical snag in its engine.
The boat was ferrying passengers from Janhikuda to Satapada when its engine reportedly developed some snag. As a result, it got stuck in the lake. The boat was also carrying more than 80 two-wheeler vehicles and other articles apart from the passengers.
Following the incident, local fishermen initiated efforts to rescue the stranded passengers. The authorities took necessary steps for launching a rescue operation.
It may be noted here that residents of around 92 villages near the lake have to encounter considerable difficulty in their daily communication to earn their livelihood. They have to cross five km through Chilika lake to reach the mainland which remained a risky affair. During storms and other mechanical problems, the boats often get stuck inside the lake.