Boudh: In a frightening late-night incident amid relentless rainfall, a massive Peepal tree, believed to be nearly 200 years old, uprooted and collapsed onto a house at Mahalpada village under Harbhanga block of Odisha’s Boudh district.
Caught off guard in their sleep, a family of three got trapped as part of the wall of the house and asbestos roof caved in on them.
According to sources, heavy rain soaked the soil, weakening the roots of the ancient tree before it came crashing down onto the house. The head of the household, identified as Ranjit Amat, along with his wife and son, sustained injuries after being pinned down under the debris
Alerted by the sound of the collapse, local residents rushed to the scene and managed to rescue the trapped family. All three were immediately rushed to Boudh District Headquarter Hospital for treatment and their condition is stated to be stable. “Around midnight, following heavy rains, a nearly two-century-old peepal tree crashed on the asbestos roof, trapping a couple and their child inside. We heard their desperate cries for help, rushed to the scene and immediately to pull them to safety,” recalled a local rescuer.
The fallen tree completely crushed the house. Left homeless by the sudden tragedy, the family has appealed to the state government for immediate financial aid and relief. “I and my wife suffered head injuries. Our entire home and all our belongings have been completely destroyed. We appeal to the government to extend immediate aid and assistance to help us rebuild,” said Ranjit.
