Dense fog engulfed Odisha’s Chilika Lake on Thursday, severely impacting ferry operations and resulting in a tense situation after a passenger went missing while on board a vessel travelling from Satapada to Jahnikuda.
The ferry, carrying around 50 passengers along with a passenger bus and two cars, reportedly became stranded in the middle of the lake after visibility dropped sharply. According to sources, the vessel had departed later than scheduled due to poor weather conditions but was forced to halt as navigation became unsafe.
Passengers onboard remained stranded for several hours as the thick fog severely limited visibility and movement. Concerns escalated when it was discovered that one of the passengers had gone missing during the journey.
The missing individual has been identified as Uma Shankar Sabat, a resident of Berhampur. According to family members, he had boarded the ferry earlier in the day while returning from a visit to Chilika. They stated that he had travelled some distance on the ferry before he was last seen.
Family members produced photographs confirming his presence on board, including images taken with his nephew shortly before the incident. Their concerns intensified after his personal belongings, including a cap and slippers, were recovered from the area near the ferry.
Some passengers reported hearing a sound resembling a heavy object falling into the water but did not realise its significance at the time. It is suspected that the man may have slipped or fallen overboard amid the dense fog and poor visibility.
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with a fire services team from Brahmagiri deployed to the site. However, dense fog and limited visibility continued to hamper search efforts. Authorities stated that further operations would continue once conditions improved.
Officials confirmed that the ferry remained stranded at the location, and safety protocols were being reviewed. The incident has raised concerns over navigation safety during periods of extreme weather in the region.
