On a carefree Sunday evening that turned into every parent’s worst nightmare, three young friends from Kataka set out for a simple bath at the historic Naraj Puruna Pathar Anicut near Barang.
What began with laughter and selfies on the old stone structure over the Mahanadi ended in chaos when a sudden, powerful surge of water swept them into the raging current.
Akash Behera (22), Soumyaranjan Malik and Manoj Majhi, all from the Machhua Bazar area, had gone to the anicut in the middle stretch of the Mahanadi-Kathajodi to cool off. As they posed for pictures on the slippery stone, a strong wave hit without warning. Within seconds, all three were fighting for their lives in the swirling waters.
Local youths reacted instantly with extraordinary courage. Alia Sethy jumped in and pulled one struggling friend to safety using only a towel. Minutes later, Sanjay Dhal, Natha Prusti and Rakesh Behera rowed a boat into the dangerous current and rescued the second youth. Despite these heroic efforts, Akash Behera was dragged away by the powerful flow. He remains missing.
Godisahi outpost personnel under Barang Police Station reached the spot quickly after receiving information. The Barang Fire Brigade has been conducting intensive search operations in the river since Sunday evening, but Akash’s body has still not been recovered.
The tragedy has shattered his family. Akash’s mother, Kamini Behera, rushed to the anicut as soon as she heard the news. She is inconsolable. Just three days earlier, the family had completed the annual death anniversary rituals of her elder son. Now she faces the unbearable fear of losing her only remaining son to the same river.
This heartbreaking incident is yet another grim reminder of how a moment of fun can turn fatal when people ignore the dangers of fast-flowing rivers and anicuts — especially while taking selfies.
