Bhubaneswar Hoarding Collapse in High Winds Kills One

Bhubaneswar Hoarding Collapse in Strong Winds Leaves One Dead, Several Injured

Bhubaneswar: In a tragic incident triggered by sudden gusty winds, a massive roadside hoarding collapsed in the Aiginia area of Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, killing a man and injuring multiple others. The victim has been identified as 38-year-old Sachidanand Pradhan, a resident of Dumduma.

According to eyewitness accounts, Pradhan and several bystanders sought temporary shelter near a roadside shop beneath the hoarding when powerful winds swept through the area. Within moments, the towering metal structure gave way, trapping Pradhan underneath and causing injuries to others nearby.

Emergency Response and Investigation

Rescue teams from the fire services and Bharatpur police station quickly arrived at the scene and initiated emergency operations. Despite swift efforts, Pradhan was declared dead. His body was later transported to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for post-mortem examination.

Confirming the incident, Rajendra Narayan Patnaik, Inspector-in-Charge of Bharatpur police station, stated that a case of unnatural death has been registered and a thorough investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse.

Details of the Incident Site

Residents described the fallen structure as a large advertising hoarding mounted on a metal framework, located near the Aiginia Durga Mandap on the Patrapada-Aiginia road stretch — an area lined with several display boards.

Officials said the hoarding’s structural classification and approval status are yet to be officially verified by the civic authorities.

Weather Conditions and Possible Cause

Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) revealed that the city experienced sustained winds of 20–25 kmph, with gusts peaking at 30–35 kmph between 4 pm and 6 pm. These conditions were associated with a brief nor’wester storm, which also affected nearby Cuttack.

Experts believe that such sudden wind surges can exert extreme pressure on ageing hoardings, especially if structural components like anchor bolts, weld joints, or foundation supports are weakened.

Safety Concerns and Renewed Debate

The incident has revived concerns over roadside advertising structures, particularly following the Mumbai billboard collapse in May 2024, which killed 17 people and injured many others.

In response to that tragedy, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) began dismantling large hoardings along NH-16 between Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in mid-2024, citing public safety hazards. Tuesday’s mishap is now likely to trigger fresh calls for city-wide structural audits of hoardings.

Urban planning expert Piyush Ranjan Rout emphasised the need for strict safety compliance, stating, “Even brief, intense wind spells can bring down ageing billboards if their foundations, welds, or base plates are compromised. All hoardings must adhere to wind-load safety standards, site-specific soil testing, and undergo mandatory annual structural inspections.”

Civic Body Action

Municipal officials confirmed that efforts are underway to digitally map all hoardings across the city, which will help in regular maintenance checks, safety audits, and regulatory enforcement.