A 23-year-old youth from Rourkela drowned in the Sankh River near Balupatra picnic spot on Thursday afternoon.
Surjyakant Nayak, son of Pradeep Nayak and resident of Ramnagar Jail Road, visited the riverside with four friends. He entered the water to bathe and slipped into a deep stretch. His friends raised an alarm and alerted local authorities.
Fire service personnel and Panposh staff rushed to the site. They launched a search operation and recovered the body after a sustained effort. Police from the Brahmani Tarang station reached the location and began an investigation. Officers sent the body for a postmortem and continued inquiries.
The tragic incident shocked the family and spread grief across the locality. Authorities reminded visitors to exercise caution while bathing in rivers and reservoirs. They stressed the risks during the monsoon season when water currents remain unpredictable.
The drowning of Surjyakant Nayak highlights the dangers of recreational bathing in natural water bodies. The Sankh River, popular among picnickers, has claimed lives in similar circumstances before. Officials urged people to avoid risky activities and prioritise safety.
