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A disturbing incident has unfolded at the picturesque Duduma Waterfall in Koraput district on Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, where Sagar Kundu, a young YouTuber from Berhampur, went missing after being swept away during a video shoot.
Also Read: Odisha YouTuber swept away in dam water discharge
Sagar, accompanied by his friend Abhijit Behera from Cuttack, was capturing aerial footage of the falls using a drone to create content for his YouTube channel. While attempting to film from a higher vantage point, he accidentally slipped into the fast-flowing water.
Despite frantic search efforts by Abhijit and locals, Sagar is still missing. 24 hours have passed by, and despite continuous rescue operations, there has been no trace of Sagar. His family has since reached the site, clinging to hope amidst growing despair.
This is not an isolated incident. Duduma Waterfall has become a tragic hotspot, as another person had gone missing around three months ago, with his body yet to be recovered. Locals and tourists alike now question the lack of safety measures at what is considered one of Odisha’s prime tourist destinations.
Known for its breathtaking beauty, the Duduma Waterfall in Lamataput block, Koraput, is often described as heaven on earth. The falls, fed by the Machhkund River, become especially dangerous during the monsoon when water levels surge due to incessant rainfall and open floodgates of the Machhkund Dam.
Sagar, passionate about showcasing natural beauty through his lens, had a dream to bring Odisha’s hidden gems to the world. Tragically, this dream may have cost him his life. Locals are urging the authorities to implement strict safety protocols, better signage, and restricted access to dangerous zones near the waterfall.
“My son was a B.Tech student and is my lone male child. I have taken a lot of pain in my life for him. He had come along with his friend to visit the site. He got trapped in surging water. Police informed me of the mishap,” the missing YouTuber’s father, Sarthak Kundu, said.
“After knowing about this, I immediately left for the tourist destination. However, there is no trace of my son yet despite a frantic search,” the YouTuber’s father added.
Reported By: Jagat Jiban Kachim
