Minor boy drowns while enjoying with friends in River Mahanadi

In an unfortunate incident, a minor boy reportedly drowned on Sunday while bathing with his friend in the Mahanadi River in Boudh district. The minor identified as Aditya Bhanja of Sudasahi was swept away while bathing at the Kulipada ghat in the Mahanadi River. 

The exact circumstances under which he was swept away remain unclear.

Also Read: Two students drown to death in Kuakhai River on Bhubaneswar outskirts

Search Operation Underway

Soon after the matter came to light, the Boudh Fire Services team reached the spot and launched a search operation. Rescue personnel continued to comb the river in an effort to locate the missing boy for hours until his body was finally recovered.

A Community in Distress

The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the local community. Family members and residents have gathered near the ghat, anxiously awaiting updates as rescue teams carry out their search.

In a similar incident on 6 January 2026, two students tragically lost their lives after drowning in the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. The students, reportedly from outside the state and enrolled in a private educational institute, had gone to the river for a picnic and entered the water for a bath, leading to the fatal accident.

They were rushed to Capital Hospital, where doctors conducted examinations and officially declared both students deceased.