Bargarh, May 26: A powerful Kalbaisakhi storm created chaos in Odisha’s Bargarh town as heavy rain and strong winds caused the collapse of the iconic Dhanuyatra memorial gate, leaving two people seriously injured.

The injured have been identified as Ajit Kumbhar and Sujit Kumbhar, both reportedly working as rickshaw pullers. They were rescued immediately after the incident and admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Odisha has been reeling under intense heatwave conditions in recent days, with western Odisha witnessing particularly severe temperatures. People across the region have been struggling to cope with the scorching weather. However, on Monday afternoon, Bargarh experienced a sudden Kalbaisakhi storm accompanied by heavy rain and high-speed winds.

The storm uprooted and damaged several trees and structures across the town. Amid the severe weather, the world-famous Dhanuyatra memorial arch in Bargarh collapsed onto the road. During the mishap, the two victims sustained serious injuries. They were rushed to the Bargarh District Headquarters Hospital for medical treatment.