# Worker dies, another critical in Odisha river weed-clearing mishap 2026-08-21T23:31:27+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A worker died and another is critical after a sudden surge of floodwater swept them away while clearing weeds in the Gobari river near Malua in Kendrapara district. The deceased was identified as Babuli Sethi of Malua village. The injured worker, Pitambar Sethi, was rescued and shifted to SCB Hospital in Cuttack for advanced treatment. According to sources, around eight workers were engaged by a contractor appointed by the Drainage Division for the cleaning operation. A relative of the deceased said the workers were pulling weeds using a tractor when the tractor's hook snapped and struck them, causing them to fall into the water and drown. Three people fell in, and one died on the spot. The incident has raised concerns about safety arrangements for workers in cleaning operations during high water flow. The family has demanded justice and support. The condition of the injured worker remains critical. ## Indian Opinion Analysis This incident highlights recurring safety lapses in government-contracted drainage and river-cleaning works in Odisha. Similar deaths from drowning or asphyxiation have occurred in recent years, often due to inadequate safety gear, no rescue equipment on site, and lack of emergency protocols. The Drainage Division's oversight role and the contractor's responsibility will be scrutinised. The family's demand for compensation falls under existing labour welfare provisions. The next step will be the hospital's update on Pitambar Sethi's condition and any police or labour department inquiry ordered by the district administration. ## Coverage - odishatv.in Led with facts of death and injury, included contractor detail and victim family quote, no editorialising This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Babuli Sethi, Gobari river, Kendrapara Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/worker-dies-another-critical-in-odisha-river-weed-clearing-mishap/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/worker-dies-another-critical-in-odisha-river-weed-clearing-mishap/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes. How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/