Two elderly hurt in Subarnapur wall collapses after rain

Persistent rainfall triggers wall collapses in Odisha's Subarnapur; two elderly persons critical According to sources, the incidents were reported from two villages under Ulunda block of Sonepur district, highlighting the risks posed by rain-weakened mud houses as heavy showers continue across the region. Bibhu Prasad Ray 02 Aug 2026 16:11 IST Fire Dept team rushing to spot for help Photograph: (OTV)

Continuous rainfall wreaked havoc in Odisha's Subarnapur district on Sunday, where two elderly residents sustained serious injuries in separate wall collapse incidents triggered by the downpour. According to sources, the incidents were reported from two villages under Ulunda block of Sonepur district, highlighting the risks posed by rain-weakened mud houses as heavy showers continue across the region.

Elderly man injured in Nayakpada village The first incident took place at Nayakpada village, where Sadananda Nayak was inside his house when a wall suddenly collapsed on him. Local residents alerted the Fire Services, following which rescue personnel rushed to the spot and pulled him out from the debris. He was immediately shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Sonepur, where he is currently undergoing treatment. His condition is reported to be serious.

Similar incident reported from Mundghat In another incident, an elderly woman, identified as Shailasuta Padhi of Mundghat village under the same block, was critically injured after a wall of her house caved in during the heavy rain. The Sonepur Fire Services team responded promptly, rescued the woman and admitted her to the District Headquarters Hospital in Sonepur for treatment.

The twin incidents have once again raised concerns over the safety of vulnerable houses during the monsoon season. Local residents expressed worry about the structural integrity of mud houses when subjected to prolonged rainfall, noting that the walls become saturated and lose strength. Officials from the fire department emphasized that their teams remained on standby throughout the downpour to respond swiftly to any emergencies, as evidenced by the photograph showing personnel rushing to the scene. The District Headquarters Hospital in Sonepur confirmed that both patients are receiving urgent medical care and that their conditions remain serious, with doctors monitoring them closely.

As the hazards such as these underscore the ongoing challenges faced by rural communities in Odisha during the monsoon, where traditional housing materials can be particularly susceptible to weather‑related damage.