Another tragic incident occurred at the popular Itma Waterfall in Rewa district on Monday when a 23-year-old youth slipped and fell into the deep gorge while clicking a selfie.

The victim, identified as Suryakant Kumar, a resident of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, had come to the waterfall with his family for a day trip. According to eyewitnesses, he was standing near the edge trying to take a selfie when he lost balance and plunged into the water below. The incident happened so suddenly that family members could not react in time.

As soon as information reached the police, a team from Atraila police station rushed to the spot along with SDERF personnel. A full-fledged rescue and search operation was launched immediately. SDERF officials, led by Sub-Inspector Vikas Pandey, have been conducting intensive searches in the river and surrounding areas since morning.

Despite continuous efforts, no trace of the youth has been found so far. The strong water current and depth of the gorge are making the rescue operation extremely challenging for the divers.

This is not the first such incident at Itma Waterfall. Several similar accidents have been reported in the past, raising repeated questions over safety arrangements at the tourist spot. Local residents claimed that warning boards, barricading, and adequate security personnel are often missing at dangerous points, which leads to such tragedies.

The administration has deployed teams at the spot and the search operation is continuing. Family members of the missing youth are in a state of shock and are waiting anxiously for any update.

A major commotion broke out in Raipur’s Shankar Nagar area on Wednesday morning after a young woman climbed a large roadside hoarding and sat nearly 35 feet above the ground. The incident triggered panic among commuters and local residents, leading to heavy crowd gathering and temporary disruption in the area.

The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Khamhardih Police Station and quickly became a major topic of discussion across the city. According to officials, the woman remained on top of the structure for nearly 40 minutes before being safely rescued by police and fire brigade personnel.

Crowd Gathered at Spot

Eyewitnesses said the woman suddenly climbed the iron frame of the large advertising hoarding installed along the roadside in the busy Shankar Nagar locality. As people noticed her sitting at a dangerous height, panic spread in the surrounding area. Traffic movement slowed down as hundreds of onlookers gathered near the site. Residents immediately informed police and emergency services after fearing that the woman could fall or attempt self-harm. Several videos of the incident also surfaced on social media platforms, drawing widespread public attention.

Police Reached Quickly

Soon after receiving information, teams from the local police station and the fire department reached the location and began rescue preparations. Officials first tried to communicate with the woman from the ground and urged her to come down safely. However, she reportedly remained seated on the hoarding for a long time, forcing authorities to begin a carefully planned rescue operation. Police personnel secured the surrounding area and restricted public movement to avoid chaos during the rescue process. Additional force was also deployed at the spot to manage the crowd and maintain order.

Fire Brigade Conducted Rescue

The fire brigade team arranged a long rescue ladder to reach the height where the woman was sitting. As a precautionary measure, a large safety net was spread beneath the hoarding to prevent injuries in case she slipped or jumped accidentally. Officials said the rescue operation continued for around 40 minutes due to the height of the structure and the need to avoid panic. Local residents also assisted the authorities by helping clear the area and cooperating during the rescue efforts. After repeated counselling and careful coordination, rescue personnel finally managed to bring the woman down safely without any injuries. The successful operation brought relief to people gathered at the location.

Woman Taken for Questioning

Following the rescue, police took the woman to the police station for questioning and medical observation. According to preliminary information, the woman appeared mentally disturbed or emotionally unstable during interaction with officials. However, police said she did not initially reveal any major dispute, family issue, or personal conflict behind her actions. Authorities are now trying to understand the circumstances that led her to climb the hoarding. Police officials stated that statements from family members and people known to the woman may also be recorded as part of the investigation.

Traffic and Public Movement Affected

The rescue operation caused temporary traffic congestion in the Shankar Nagar area as vehicles slowed down due to crowd gathering near the incident site. Police diverted movement on some stretches to ensure emergency teams could operate safely. Public movement near the hoarding remained restricted until the rescue operation concluded. Local shopkeepers and residents said the incident created fear among people, especially after seeing the woman sitting at such a dangerous height. Many bystanders continued recording videos during the operation despite repeated appeals by police to maintain distance and avoid obstruction.

Social Media Videos Go Viral

Soon after the incident, videos and photographs of the woman sitting atop the hoarding began circulating widely on social media. The visuals attracted significant public attention and became one of the most discussed local incidents of the day in Raipur. Officials later appealed to residents not to spread rumours or misleading claims regarding the woman or the circumstances surrounding the incident. Police also advised people to avoid sharing unverified information online.

Mental Health Concerns Highlighted

The incident has once again raised concerns regarding mental health awareness and timely intervention in emotional distress cases. Experts often point out that unusual public behaviour or risky actions can sometimes indicate psychological stress, anxiety, or emotional instability. Though officials have not confirmed any medical condition in this case, police said the woman’s behaviour suggested possible emotional disturbance. Authorities are expected to counsel the woman further after completing the initial inquiry.

Police said the investigation is still underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established. Officials are examining whether the act was linked to emotional distress, social pressure, or any other personal issue. Statements from witnesses and CCTV footage from the surrounding area may also be reviewed.

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