The Chhindwara drowning incidents took place in a waterfall area and a mine pond, where teenagers had gone for an outing and a birthday celebration.

Two separate drowning incidents in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district claimed the lives of four teenagers on Wednesday, triggering rescue operations in two police station areas. Officials said two bodies have been recovered so far, while search teams continued efforts on Thursday to trace the remaining missing boys.

The incidents were reported from Chaurai and Junnardeo areas of the district, several kilometres apart. According to police, all the victims were in their mid-to-late teens and had gone out with friends or relatives when the accidents occurred.

Reel Near Waterfall

The first incident took place near Ghoghra Waterfall in Belkheda under the Chaurai police station limits. Police identified the missing teenagers as 14-year-old Gaurav Dehariya and 17-year-old Vinayak Gupta, both residents of Chhindwara city.

Initial reports indicate that the two had reached the waterfall along with their sisters for an outing during the afternoon hours. While spending time near the water, the boys reportedly started making social media reels close to the deeper section of the waterfall.

Officials said they suddenly slipped or moved into deep water and were unable to come out. Local visitors at the spot raised an alarm and informed the police soon after the incident.

Rescue Operation Begins

Teams from Chaurai police station, local administration and divers reached the waterfall area and launched a rescue operation. Due to uneven rocky terrain and deep water, the search continued for several hours.

By late evening, rescuers managed to recover the body of one teenager. Search efforts for the second missing boy resumed again on Thursday morning.

Sources familiar with the operation said the water level and strong undercurrent near parts of the waterfall created difficulties for divers. Local authorities have also appealed to visitors to avoid venturing too close to deep water zones during the monsoon build-up period.

Birthday Celebration Turns Tragic

In another incident reported from Junnardeo police station area, two teenagers drowned in a pond located near the 11/12 number opencast mine at Kothidev village under Dungariya police outpost.

Police said a group of seven to eight youths had gathered near the pond to celebrate a birthday. Some members of the group later entered the water for bathing.

During this time, two boys aged around 16 and 17 reportedly moved into a deeper section of the pond and drowned before others could rescue them.

Search Halted At Night

After receiving information, Junnardeo police station in-charge J. Masram, sub-inspector Mukesh Dongre and outpost in-charge Anjana Maravi reached the spot with rescue personnel.

Officials said the rescue operation had to be suspended on Wednesday night because of darkness and the depth of the waterbody. The search resumed early Thursday morning with the help of divers and local teams.

One body was recovered during the fresh search operation, while another teenager remained missing till the latest reports came in.

Families In Mourning

The back-to-back Chhindwara drowning incidents have left the affected families in deep shock. Local residents gathered at both sites as rescue teams continued operations through the night and into Thursday.

Police officials said further investigation is underway in both cases. Authorities are also expected to review safety arrangements at popular picnic spots and abandoned mining water bodies, where accidental drownings have been reported in the past as well.

With summer outings and social media-driven visits to waterfalls increasing among youngsters, officials have once again urged people to exercise caution around deep and unguarded water locations.