Elderly couple killed in mud house collapse in Sundargarh district
An elderly couple was killed when their dilapidated mud house collapsed in Ranto-Birkera village, Sundargarh district, after heavy rains weakened the structure.
Tenga Kispotta, 72, and his wife Mahi Kispotta, 74, were killed when their dilapidated mud house collapsed on them in the intervening night of Thursday and Friday in Ranto‑Birkera village under Brahmani Tarang police limits in Sundargarh district. The couple’s home had weakened after several days of heavy rains, according to police. They were asleep after dinner on Thursday night when the house gave way, and their daughter‑in‑law discovered their bodies under the debris on Friday morning. Police said a team reached the village, sent the bodies for postmortem and registered an unnatural death case.
What caused the mud house to collapse?
The house had become unstable following several days of continuous heavy rainfall, police said. Tenga and Mahi Kispotta chose to stay in the ageing structure while other members of their family lived about 200 metres away. The mud walls, weakened by the heavy rains, could no longer support the roof, leading to the sudden collapse during the night. Police said the region had experienced heavy rains over the past several days, which saturated the soil and compromised the foundation of the traditional dwelling. The couple’s decision to remain in the house, despite its deteriorating condition, placed them directly in the path of the falling debris when the structure gave way.
What actions did police take after being informed?
Upon receiving information about the collapse, a police team promptly reached Ranto‑Birkera village. The officers recovered the bodies from the debris and transported them for postmortem examination to confirm the cause of death. Police said on being informed, a team reached the village and sent the bodies for postmortem. An unnatural death case has been registered, and officials began an investigation into the incident. The couple’s daughter‑in‑law was the first to discover the bodies on Friday morning after she went to check on them.
The incident was reported by the Express News Service, updated on 05 Sep 2026 at 3:26 am, with a read time of approximately one minute.
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Who were the victims of the mud house collapse in Sundargarh?
Tenga Kispotta (72) and his wife Mahi Kispotta (74) were the victims.
Where did the incident occur?
The incident occurred in Ranto-Birkera village under Brahmani Tarang police limits in Sundargarh district, Odisha.
What caused the mud house to collapse?
The house weakened after several days of heavy rains, according to police.
What did the police do after being informed of the collapse?
A police team reached the village, recovered the bodies from the debris, sent them for postmortem and registered an unnatural death case.
Were any other family members present in the house at the time?
No, the couple was staying in the house while other family members lived about 200 metres away.
Has a case been registered in connection with the incident?
Yes, police have registered an unnatural death case.
Ansuya Minz
Senior District Correspondent, Sundargarh
Ansuya Minz has covered Sundargarh district for six years, reporting on the steel belt's industry, tribal welfare policy, and the Rourkela sports ecosystem. She is based in Rourkela.
View all articles by Ansuya →
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