Deep in the jungles of Sonbhadra, a festive errand spiraled into catastrophe when a mud pile collapsed, killing three women and severely injuring two. The event unfolded Monday in Kirwani village under Myorpur police limits, Uttar Pradesh.
Five locals were excavating earth for Holi house painting—a customary practice—when the unstable mound tumbled, burying them alive. A swift Dial 112 call triggered a multi-agency response, with rescuers battling heavy soil to reach the trapped.
Heroes of the hour saved Phool Kumari and Najimun Nisha, airlifting them to Dudhi medical facility in dire straits. The toll: Sadiqunisha, Anisha Khatoon, and Seeta perished on-site. Autopsies are pending, and the zone is under tight security.
SP Abhishek Verma affirmed: ‘Full-area scans complete—no more under rubble. Families updated; we’re mapping other danger zones for women foraging mud.’ Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as kin rushed in, their lamentations piercing the air.
Experts point to soil instability in forested hills as a recurring risk, urging alternatives like subsidized materials. This loss reverberates through the community, fueling demands for stricter oversight and awareness drives.
Sonbhadra stands at a crossroads, where tradition meets peril, compelling a reevaluation of everyday rural practices for safety’s sake.