Full Breakdown
Tragedy at Nalkheda: Eight Killed When Pilgrims’ Car Was Swept into a Flooded Drain
By Drooid · · How we work
The Fatal Incident
On September 19, 2026, a vehicle carrying eight people was swept away by a swollen drain near the Maa Baglamukhi Temple in Nalkheda, Agar Malwa district, Madhya Pradesh. The hired car attempted to cross a culvert when heavy rain caused the drain to overflow. All occupants—seven members of an extended family from Odisha and the driver—were trapped and later pronounced dead.
Pilgrimage Context
The family from Bhubaneswar had travelled to Ujjain to visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple before heading to Nalkheda for the Baglamukhi pilgrimage. The trip began on September 16, and the group was preparing to celebrate a wedding and a house move.
Key Individuals
- Dilip Kumar Soni – Superintendent of Police, Agar Malwa.
- Mohan Charan Majhi – Chief Minister of Odisha.
- Banamali Behera – Patriarch of the deceased family, proprietor of a roadside eatery in Bhubaneswar.
- Arun Goyal – Driver of the hired taxi.
Timeline of Events
- September 16 – Family departs Bhubaneswar for Ujjain.
- Early hours of September 19 – After an overnight downpour, the vehicle attempts to cross the culvert; the drain overflows and the car is swept away.
- Around 9:30 a.m. – Residents alert police; rescue teams retrieve the submerged vehicle.
- September 27 – The family’s planned ring ceremony for Radharani Behera is cancelled.
Casualties and Conditions
Eight deaths were confirmed: three children (ages 6-13), two women, three men, and the driver. Post-mortems were conducted at the Civil Hospital, and the bodies were dispatched to Bhubaneswar. Rainfall in the preceding 24 hours was about 3.7 inches (37 mm), enough to swell the drain dangerously.
Official Responses
Odisha’s government coordinated with Madhya Pradesh to expedite the return of the remains. The district collector ordered financial assistance for the bereaved families, and the state chief minister announced additional aid. Police oversaw the rescue operation and opened an inquest, with CCTV footage under review.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Odia tourists in an accident in Madhya Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May the departed souls rest in peace.” — Mohan Charan Majhi
- “There is a culvert near the temple, and the drain under it had been overflowing due to heavy rain. The driver tried to cross it to reach the temple but may have misjudged the situation, after which the car lost control and got swept away due to strong currents,” — Dilip Soni
- “All necessary steps are being taken... to bring the mortal remains back to Odisha with due respect. In this hour of grief, the State government stands firmly by the side of the bereaved families,” — Mohan Charan Majhi
- “So far, there has been no sign of any survivors,” — Dilip Soni
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Some sources list the driver only as “a resident of Badod tehsil,” while ThePrint identifies him as Arun Goyal. The exact cause of the vehicle’s entry into the drain remains under investigation.
Community Reaction
Local residents gathered at the scene, demanding a bridge over the drain and better safety measures around the temple’s culvert. In Bhubaneswar, crowds assembled at the Behera family home to offer condolences, and officials visited to coordinate assistance.
Broader Implications
The tragedy highlights the need for improved flood-risk management on pilgrimage routes and better road-safety protocols during monsoon conditions.