Truck Strays Into Odisha Village, Damages House

A truck travelling from Cuttack to Dhamra Port accidentally rammed into a residential house in Patrasahi village, Bhadrak district, Odisha, early Thursday, after the driver reportedly lost his way in dense fog while relying on Google Maps for navigation, police said.

The incident occurred along the Bhadrak–Chandbali main road under the Chandbali area. Police officials noted that visibility was severely reduced due to thick fog in the early morning hours, making it difficult for drivers to spot road signs and turns. The truck driver, unfamiliar with the route, continued to depend on GPS directions, which ultimately led him off the main road.

As the vehicle approached Digachhia Chhak, it was diverted into a narrow internal village lane. Locals said the heavy truck ventured deep into the residential area before the driver realised he had strayed from the main thoroughfare. The lane was too narrow to accommodate a large commercial vehicle, and attempts to turn the truck around failed. This miscalculation caused the truck to collide with a house owned by a resident identified as Ramesh Das.

The impact partially damaged the asbestos-roofed house and several household items, but fortunately, no one was injured. Family members managed to exit the house safely before the collision.

Villagers quickly gathered at the scene and alerted the police. Officers arrived promptly, pacified the local residents, and coordinated the removal of the truck to clear the obstruction. The vehicle was later taken to the police station for further investigation.

Preliminary reports suggest that dense fog was the primary cause of the incident. Reduced visibility deprived the driver of visual cues, leading him to rely solely on the navigation app, which directed the truck into the village interior.

Police have confirmed that an inquiry is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the mishap. They also reassured residents that no loss of life occurred, and the situation was brought under control without further incident.

The Bhadrak mishap highlights the challenges of navigating heavy vehicles in adverse weather conditions, particularly in rural areas with narrow lanes, and underscores the importance of cautious driving even when using digital navigation tools.