Rourkela: A large balloon with inscriptions in a foreign language, suspected to be Chinese, fell from the sky in Kinjirkela police station limits on Saturday evening. Police seized the balloon, which was attached to a battery‑powered device, and launched an inquiry into its origin.The object was spotted on a road in Chuhimati village, following which locals alerted Kinjirkela police. A team reached the spot, collected the balloon and the device, and began investigating how it landed in the area and what purpose it served. The unfamiliar writing on the device added to the intrigue among residents.Police said the seized material resembled a weather balloon. “After our preliminary inquiry, we have come to know that the balloon might have been released by the meteorological department to study wind direction, humidity and atmospheric pressure,” said N Mohapatra, SDPO, Sundargarh. He added that the department has been informed. “Once their officials arrive at Kinjirkela police station, the balloon and the attached device will be shown to them. If required, we will hand it over. Further investigation is underway,” he said. Police clarified that such balloons are often used for scientific purposes and urged residents not to panic.
