A young man went missing while bathing at the Gundichaghagi Waterfall in Odisha’s Keonjhar district on Sunday morning. The victim, identified as Satyaprakash Mahant of Badasialimal village under Harichandanpur block, slipped into the waterfall pool and has not been found since.
Satyaprakash, who works as an ambulance driver in Paradip, had visited the scenic spot with colleagues and friends. Around 6 a.m., after completing his morning routine, he went to the pool to bathe but accidentally drowned.
Safety Measures Ignored
Authorities had placed barricades and warning signs for visitor safety. However, the victim reportedly ignored these precautions and ventured below the waterfall. Officials believe he may have lost his footing on slippery boulders, which are covered with fungi.
Search Operation Underway
The local police and fire services personnel have launched a search operation, covering areas from downstream to upstream. Heavy water flow due to recent rains has complicated the rescue efforts.
Officials stated that Satyaprakash could be swept downstream by the current. If trapped between rocks at the base of the waterfall, his body may surface the following day.
Need for Greater Awareness
Locals have emphasized the importance of following safety guidelines and increasing personnel to caution tourists. They believe such measures could prevent similar tragic incidents in the future.
