Tragedy strikes Odisha as 6, including 4 minors, drown in Nayagarh, Cuttack & Keonjhar in separate incidents

In a heartbreaking series of incidents across Odisha, multiple young lives were lost due to drowning on Sunday. Separate incidents were reported from Nayagarh, Cuttack and Keonjhar, plunging families and local communities into grief.

Three Minor Boys Drown in Pond at Godibida Village

Three young boys met a watery grave at Godibida village under Daspalla Police Station limits in Nayagarh district, where they drowned in a pond while playing this morning, said reports. The deceased were identified as 9-year-old Shubha Khilar from Bahadakhala Poda Sahi, Umakant Nayak, and Ritesh Pradhan, both 11 years old, from Khalamada village under Nuagaon Police Station limits.

According to local sources, the unprecedented drowning happened when the three friends had gone for a bath in the local pond seeking respite from the summer heat. The exact cause and circumstances of their drowning are not known immediately. 

However, locals added that the three may have ventured into deeper waters, causing them to lose control and tragically drown thereafter. Hearing their wails, people nearby rushed into the pond and tried to rescue them.

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The three were rushed to Daspalla Medical Centre, where doctors declared them dead upon arrival. The entire Godibida village is mourning the devastating loss of these young lives.

Minor Boy Swept Away in Kathajodi River In Cuttack

In another incident, a minor boy went missing after being swept away in the Kathajodi River near Khananagar, Cuttack.

Reports indicate that the boy hailed from Betabindhani Sahi of the city and was bathing in the river when he was caught in the strong current and disappeared. Fire Services personnel launched a search and rescue operation soon after receiving the information. Following an extensive search, the body of the boy, identified as 14-year-old Surjyakant Majhi, was recovered from the river near the Khannagar railway bridge.

Two Drown While Bathing in Stream in Keonjhar

In another tragic incident, at least two persons drowned while taking a bath in a stream near Palaspal village under Harichandanpur police station in Keonjhar district.