Bhadrak: A possible mishap was averted during an event in Odisha’s Bhadrak district as a portion of the stage collapsed just minutes after Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati left the venue.
The incident took place amid a spell of heavy rainfall, which is believed to have weakened the temporary structure. The rear side of the stage gave way with a loud crash shortly after the Governor and other dignitaries exited the platform, sources said.
The Governor, who was on a two-day visit to Bhadrak, inspected the Women Producer Groups and the Industrial Park at Kadabarang. He later arrived at the venue to attend a scheduled meeting with local officials and stakeholders.
Present on the stage at the time were the Bhadrak District Collector, local MLA, Higher Education Minister, and the DIG of Eastern Range. The programme was underway when heavy rains began to lash the area.
Anticipating potential risk, the Governor and other dignitaries moved to the nearby office of the Women’s Federation, where discussions continued. Minutes later, the stage partially collapsed, but no injury was reported.
Authorities have launched an inquiry into the structural failure that led to the stage to crumble.
