Class 9 girl jumps into Mahanadi river in Sambalpur, rescued

A class 9 girl student reportedly jumped into the Mahanadi River from the Chaurpur Bridge in Sambalpur on Saturday and was later rescued by the Fire Services personnel after a frantic search.

The incident came to light after passersby noticed a bicycle, a mobile phone, and a school bag lying unattended on the bridge. The bag contained a Class IX question paper, through which the girl was identified. Moreover over the police also recovered a phenyl bottle from the bag. 

Soon after, personnel from the Town police station and Fire Services reached the spot and launched a search operation in the river. After a frantic search, the girl was rescued.

“The girl is a class 9 student. We have given her free admission as she does not have parents. She got books and a dress as per government norms. She was irregular to school,” said Subhrata Pati, headmistress of Budharaj High School.

As the Hirakud dam is releasing excess water through eight gates, the water inflow in the Mahanadi river has increased, sources said, adding that the Town police is investigating the circumstances that led to the incident.

A similar incident had occurred recently when another woman jumped from the bridge into the Mahanadi. Locals have urged authorities to install iron fencing to deter such attempts.