Pregnant Woman, Daughter Drown in Ghoghra Dam in Jashpur

A pregnant woman and her eight-year-old daughter died after drowning in the Ghoghra Dam area of Jashpur on Sunday afternoon, police said. The incident took place under the jurisdiction of Pathalgaon police station when the woman had gone to the reservoir with her two daughters for washing clothes and bathing.

Incident Near Dam

According to local officials, Sukanti Tigga, 32, a resident of Balajhar village, had reached Ghoghra Dam with her children during the afternoon hours. She was reportedly washing clothes near the bank while the children were bathing nearby.

Initial reports indicate that Sukanti and her younger daughter Meenakshi Tigga, 8, accidentally moved towards a deeper section of the waterbody and began drowning. The area around the dam is understood to have uneven depth levels, villagers said.

Elder Daughter Survives

The woman’s elder daughter, Aradhana Tigga, 10, managed to swim to safety. In a distressed condition, she returned to the village and alerted family members and nearby residents about the incident.

Soon after receiving information, villagers rushed to the dam and began searching for the mother and child. Local residents gathered in large numbers along the bank as rescue efforts continued for several hours.

Rescue Operation Conducted

Police personnel from Pathalgaon police station also reached the spot after being informed. Local divers and villagers joined the rescue operation in an attempt to trace the missing pair.

After considerable effort, both bodies were recovered from the water. Officials said the bodies were later sent for post-mortem examination.

Some belongings, including clothes, a bucket and slippers, were found lying near the edge of the dam, indicating where the family had been present before the accident.

Woman Was Eight Months Pregnant

Police confirmed that Sukanti Tigga was around eight months pregnant at the time of the incident. The deaths have triggered grief in the village, with residents describing the incident as deeply tragic.

Locals familiar with the area said people from nearby villages often visit the dam for bathing and washing clothes, particularly during the summer months. However, concerns are occasionally raised over the absence of safety barriers and warning signs near deeper portions of the reservoir.

Police Begin Inquiry

Pathalgaon SDOP Dhruvesh Jaiswal said police acted immediately after receiving information about the drowning.

According to officials, a case has been registered and further investigation is underway. Authorities are also examining the exact sequence of events leading to the drowning.

No foul play has been suspected so far, police sources said.

Safety Concerns Raised

The Ghoghra Dam drowning incident has once again drawn attention to water safety in rural areas of Chhattisgarh, especially during peak summer when ponds, rivers and reservoirs witness increased public movement.

In recent years, several accidental drowning cases have been reported from different districts of the state during bathing or picnic-related activities. Local residents have demanded improved safety measures around such water bodies to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As of Sunday evening, grieving relatives and villagers had gathered at the family’s residence in Balajhar village following the recovery of the bodies.