A disturbing incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon in Sambalpur as an unidentified elderly man went missing after allegedly falling into the Mahanadi River from the Chaunrapur Bridge.
The event took place around 3 PM and was witnessed by three local youths, who promptly informed the nearby police station.
As per eyewitness accounts, the elderly individual was walking along the bridge’s central span before suddenly plunging into the river. The current situation has prompted a large-scale search operation led by three teams from the fire services department, including personnel from both Sambalpur and Burla stations.
Officials revealed that due to the recent release of water through 18 gates of the Hirakud reservoir, the river’s current is unusually intense, raising fears that the man may have been swept far downstream. In response, alerts have been sent to adjacent stations to intensify the search grid.
Sudam Kisko, a senior officer from the fire department, confirmed the operation and emphasised that efforts will continue until the missing person is found or further developments arise. The police have begun formal investigations and are appealing to the public for any leads regarding the identity of the man.
As the situation unfolds, anxiety looms over the fate of the missing individual, with authorities urging caution and community support during ongoing search and rescue efforts.
