3 youths drown, 1 rescued in Odisha’s Cuttack

In a tragic incident, three youths were killed after being washed away in the turbulent waters of Pattamundai Canal near Jagatpur Belamalia temple in Cuttack on Wednesday night, police said on Thursday. 

While the identities of two deceased youths are yet to be ascertained, one has been identified as Trilochan Mahala, a resident of Talasahi under Chauliaganj police limits. Similarly, the youth rescued on Wednesday night itself is yet to be identified. 

According to a source, the four youths were returning home after watching Rupa Yatra in Choudwar. As they were nearing Belamalia temple, one of them fell into the canal. Seeing their friend in the canal, the other three youths jumped into the water and in the process, all four got washed away in the strong current of the water. Later, one of them managed to swim to the bank and was rescued by the local youths. 

On being informed, a team from Jagatpur police station, ODRAF and fire personnel reached the spot and launched a rescue operation with the help of local people. Later the operation was stopped due to the darkness and later resumed on Thursday when the bodies were fished out. 

“It will be too early to say anything about the incident. The post-mortem report will shed light on the cause of the death. We have launched an investigation from all possible angles,” said inspector-in-charge of Jagatpur police station Rabindra Meher.