An elderly man’s body was recovered from the Indravati lift irrigation canal near Muturabahili Chhak in Kokasara block, Nabarangpur district, on Wednesday morning.
The deceased was identified as Gabra Raut, 76, of Ladu village. According to reports, he had gone missing since Tuesday. Local residents spotted his body floating in the canal and immediately informed the police.
Kokasara police and fire services personnel reached the spot. Under the leadership of Officer Prashant Kumar Bagh, the fire services team retrieved the body from the canal and handed it over to the police. The body was sent to Kokasara Community Health Centre for a post-mortem before being handed over to family members.
Police registered a case and launched an investigation. Officials confirmed that the circumstances leading to the incident will be probed further.
Sources revealed that in recent days, five incidents have occurred in the Indravati canal under Kokasara police limits. Four bodies have been recovered, while one youth was rescued in critical condition. The recurring accidents have sparked concern among locals.
Intellectual circles and community leaders demanded that the administration initiate awareness campaigns to prevent further tragedies. They stressed the need for safety measures around the canal to protect residents.
