A tragic incident unfolded in Mayurbhanj district’s Kaptipada subdivision on Tuesday evening when Asim Amitabh Biswal, alias Raja, from Ward No. 9 of Udala, jumped into the swollen Sona River from the Jirida Bridge.
The incident occurred around 8:30 PM, prompting an immediate response from the local fire department, which deployed boats and searchlights to locate him.
According to eyewitnesses, Raja was accompanied by a friend who alerted his family after the jump. The bridge, standing over 50 feet high, overlooks the river, which is currently raging with a water level exceeding 20 feet due to recent heavy rainfall. The fire department’s search operation, initiated swiftly after receiving the distress call, continues to face challenges due to the river’s strong currents and high water levels.
Local authorities have not yet determined the circumstances leading to Raja’s decision to jump. His father, Purna Chandra Biswal, and family members gathered near the bridge, anxiously awaiting updates from the rescue team.
