Fog Alert: Odisha's Puri Halts Boat Operations in Chilika Lake till 11 am for Safety

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In a bid to prevent accidents, the Puri district administration in Odisha has suspended ferry services and tourist boat operations in all water bodies, including Chilika Lake, until 11 am due to severe fog and cold conditions. The decision comes after a fatal accident on Thursday, where a man lost his life while traveling on a floating bridge inside the lake. The incident occurred when the vessel carrying 50 passengers, a bus, and two cars was stranded in dense fog for several hours. According to an advisory issued by Puri District Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida, the heavy fog and poor visibility pose a significant risk to life and property. To mitigate this risk, ferry services across rivers, lakes, and other water bodies will remain suspended during periods of heavy fog and low visibility. Local authorities will conduct regular monitoring at ferry ghats to prevent unauthorized operations, and public announcements will be made to inform commuters and villagers about the suspension of ferry services. The administration has instructed local officials to take necessary measures to enforce this advisory and ensure public safety. Any violation of this directive will be taken seriously, and appropriate action will be initiated against responsible officials. The advisory will remain in effect until weather and visibility conditions improve or until further instructions are issued.