Andhra: 4 killed, 50 injured as pandals at temple collapse
Four pilgrims were killed and over 50 others injured at the ancient Ram temple in Ontimitta in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa when the pandals collapsed as gales accompanied by heavy rain lashed the district. The incident occurred minutes ahead of CM Chandrababu Naidu's arrival last night for the celestial wedding of Lord Rama as part of Rama Navami celebrations, resulting in chaos at the temple.
The chaos was compounded due to power outage
Sudden rain coupled with strong winds lashed Ontimitta at around 6:40pm, some 20 minutes before the Chief Minister was scheduled to arrive to present silk clothes to Lord Ram. The main event was, however, not affected because of a huge rain-proof pandal and provision of generators. Chandrababu Naidu arrived over 90 minutes behind schedule because of rain and took part in the rituals.
The strong winds unsettled the pandals, killing and injuring devotees.
The specially-erected pandals for the pilgrims were soaked with rain water while the tin sheet roofs of the pandals were blown away by the gale. While two persons died when uprooted tin sheets fell on them, one woman died of heart attack, and another of electrocution. About 40 of the injured were shifted to the Rajiv Institute of Medical Sciences in Kadapa for treatment.
Chief Minister visits Kadapa Hospital to meet those undergoing treatment
After attending the celestial wedding, the Chief Minister visited RIMS at Kadapa and met those undergoing treatment. He announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 15 lakh each to the kin of those killed and Rs. 3 lakh each to those seriously injured.
