Balangir: A woman died after reportedly suffering a brain haemorrhage triggered by extremely loud music from a DJ sound system at a wedding procession at Patnagarh in Odisha’s Balangir disrtict.
The deceased has been identified as Lochana Bahuk, wife of Sadananda Bahuk, from Brahmapura village. She was the sole breadwinner of her family and operated a small roadside eatery to support them.
According to family members, the incident occurred while Lochana was bathing her granddaughter near a handpump by the roadside in front of her hotel. A wedding procession with a DJ system stopped nearby and began playing music at full volume. The deafening sound continued for over an hour, even as the driver reportedly left the vehicle. Her fervent pleas with folded hands to the operators and procession participants to lower the volume, citing severe discomfort, were also ignored. Soon afterward, Lochana fell seriously ill and collapsed unconscious at the spot. She was rushed to sub-divisional hospital at Patnagarh from where she was referred to Balangir district headquarters hospital. However, she passed away.
Family members alleged that the intense noise caused a vein to rupture in her brain, leading to the fatal haemorrhage.
Local residents expressed shock and anger, criticising the unregulated use of high-decibel DJ systems during public events. Many have highlighted repeated violations of sound pollution norms and alleged that authorities have failed to enforce regulations despite prior complaints. They have demanded strict action against those responsible for the procession, compensation for the grieving family, and a complete ban on DJ systems in such celebrations to prevent similar tragedies.
