Tragic Incident While Crossing River
The incident occurred in Mangnar village, located in the Barsur police station area. On July 8, two local youths – Mahesh Oyami (15) and Jaggū Lekami (18) – were returning home from Bodhghat market by boat when the vessel overturned at the confluence of the Indravati and Gudra rivers, due to strong currents. The boat was being rowed by the boys themselves, without any professional boatman or safety equipment.
One Survives, One Swept Away
Mahesh was fortunate to get stuck on a rock and survived the night, while Jaggu was swept away by the powerful current. When both failed to return home that evening, family members began searching for them. By the next morning, Mahesh was located stranded on a rock and was safely rescued with the help of local police.
Three-Day Rescue Mission Ends in Recovery
A massive rescue operation was launched on July 9 and continued for three days. On the evening of July 11, Jaggu’s body was discovered wedged between rocks approximately 4 kilometers from where the boat had capsized. The police and rescue teams recovered the body and sent it for postmortem examination.
Monsoon Rains Make River Crossings Dangerous
Officials have long warned that crossing rivers during the monsoon is extremely hazardous, especially the Indravati River which swells rapidly during this season. However, due to daily necessities, villagers often take the risk, navigating the waters in small, makeshift boats without any safety gear or trained operators.
Lack of Infrastructure Puts Lives at Risk
Local residents continue to cross rivers due to the absence of proper transport infrastructure. With no official boatmen or motorized boats in service, people are forced to row themselves across, often in unpredictable weather conditions. Authorities have again appealed to the public to avoid river crossings until conditions improve, highlighting the need for better safety measures and transport solutions in the region.
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