India, Aug. 18 -- Rajnagar/Aul: As many as three families suffered a devasting loss following sudden death of 73 buffaloes while crossing the Brahmani river in Aul block of Odisha's Kendrapara district on Sunday. The mass bovine deaths which snatched away their entire livelihoods within hours, also triggered alarm and panic among villagers as simulateous deaths of so many buffaloes seemed unusual. While the buffaloes drowned after being swept away by the strong currents, it is being alleged that they died after drinking the river water which was contaminated due to shrimp farming.

As per reports, a herd of 88 buffaloes, belonging to local farmers Ganesh Das, Jagannath Das and Pagala Biswal of Ekamania village, had been released by their...