John Wilbert & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, September 14: In a heart-wrenching incident following heavy rainfall and gusty winds, a colossal tree toppled onto a residence in Sitapur village, Rangat, resulting in the tragic death of a young boy and injuries to other family members.
As per villagers, the incident occurred around 11:45 PM on September 13, when a massive tree, situated on unstable soil in the backyard of Swapan Mandal’s house, fell with a deafening crash. Mr. Mandal, a long-time resident of Sitapur, narrowly escaped the catastrophe, along with his old mother, wife, two daughters, and one son.
The family had just finished dinner and retired to their beds when the horrifying event unfolded. The sudden collapse of the adjacent tree sent shockwaves through the house, causing minor injuries to all family members. Tragically, 17-year-old Akash Mandal, a Class 12 student at GSSS Rangat, bore the brunt of the falling tree branch, suffering fatal injuries to his chest and head.
Local residents swiftly responded to the emergency, rushing the injured family members to PHC Rangat. Regrettably, young Akash Mandal was declared brought dead due to severe internal injuries. One of the girls was admitted to the hospital for medical care.
In the aftermath of this calamity, a multitude of local residents, along with officials from various government departments, including Forest, Electricity, and the Police, joined forces to clear the debris left by the fallen tree. The Tehsil office also dispatched officers to assist in the cleanup effort.
Local villagers, along with Mrs. Laxmi Devi Pradhan from the Gram Panchayat, have united in their appeal to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. They urge swift action and the provision of compensation and support to aid the victims of this natural disaster.
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