The incident occurred under the Pachpedi police station limits, where continuous rainfall has significantly increased the water level and flow of the Shivnath River.

According to police, the missing fisherman has been identified as Sukhdev Kevat, a resident of Jondhara village in Bilaspur district. He earned his livelihood by catching and selling fish in nearby villages and local markets.

Officials said Sukhdev left his home around noon on Thursday to fish in the Shivnath River near his village. When he failed to catch enough fish, he reportedly attempted to cross the river towards the Lavan area in neighbouring Balodabazar district in search of better fishing spots.

During the crossing, he was caught in the river's strong current after the water level rose rapidly. Unable to withstand the force of the flowing water, he lost his balance and was swept away downstream.

Villagers who witnessed the incident immediately alerted the police. Local residents also began searching the riverbank before rescue teams arrived at the spot.

Considering that the incident occurred near the boundary of Bilaspur, Janjgir-Champa and Balodabazar districts, police from all three districts coordinated the rescue operation. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were also deployed to conduct an intensive search in the river.

Rescue personnel continued searching until late evening using boats and other available equipment. However, the operation was hampered by the strong water current and poor visibility, preventing divers from carrying out an extensive underwater search.

Police officials said the search had to be suspended after nightfall due to safety concerns.

Pachpedi police station in-charge Kamla Pusam said the rescue operation would resume on Friday morning. SDRF personnel are expected to extend the search downstream in the direction of the river's flow, where the missing fisherman is believed to have been carried by the floodwaters.

Authorities have also appealed to residents living along the riverbanks to immediately inform the police if they notice any signs that could assist the search teams.

The incident comes amid rising river levels across several parts of Chhattisgarh following persistent rainfall. District administrations have repeatedly advised people to avoid entering rivers, canals and other water bodies during the monsoon because of sudden increases in water flow.

Local residents said Sukhdev was an experienced fisherman who had been working in the river for several years. However, they noted that the unusually strong current created dangerous conditions even for those familiar with the area.

Police said further action will depend on the outcome of the ongoing search operation. The family of the missing fisherman has been informed, and officials are continuing efforts to locate him as rescue teams prepare to resume operations.

A potentially fatal accident near the Itma bridge in Rewa's Atraila police station area on Thursday ended on a note of relief, thanks largely to the quick thinking of local villagers who waded into the river and pulled out a trapped man before the state disaster response team could even reach the spot.

Iron Rod Pierced Foot

The injured man, identified as Ramujagar Prajapati, 45, a resident of Itma village, had gone to the riverbank for some work when he lost his footing and slipped into a deeper section of the river. An iron rod embedded in the riverbed pierced through his foot, leaving him immobilised in the current, unable to free himself or move to safety. He was in considerable pain and could not get out on his own.

Alert Reaches Control Room

Locals who spotted the man trapped in the water quickly passed the information to the police control room. The situation was flagged as serious — a man pinned by a metal rod in flowing water, with no immediate means of rescue on site. The Rewa police promptly dispatched an SDRF team to the location.

Villagers Act First

Before the SDRF unit could arrive, a group of villagers decided not to wait. Showing remarkable courage, they entered the river, navigated the current, and managed to carefully free Prajapati and bring him to the bank. The rescue, carried out without professional equipment, drew wide appreciation from both local residents and officials.

A five-member SDRF team, led by Sub-Inspector Vikas Kumar Pandey, had already been en route to the site. On receiving confirmation that the rescue had been completed successfully by locals, the team was directed to return midway.

First Aid, Then Hospital

Once on dry ground, Prajapati was given initial first aid before being transported to a nearby health centre for further treatment. The extent of his injury — a metal rod having passed through his foot — meant he required medical attention beyond basic care. His condition, according to initial reports, was stable.

Officials Acknowledge Timely Action

Police officials who spoke on the matter noted that the speed of the rescue was critical. Had the man remained trapped in the current for longer, the situation could have escalated significantly. Officials credited both the prompt response of the control room and the bravery of the villagers for averting what could easily have become a tragedy.

The SDRF team's swift mobilisation was also noted positively, even though their intervention ultimately wasn't required on-site.

Community Response Draws Praise

In a time when bystander inaction is often criticised, the Itma villagers' decision to step in without hesitation has been widely appreciated across the district. Local residents on social media and in conversations across the area were sharing the rescue video that reportedly captured part of the operation — showing people using ropes to stabilise themselves and the victim in the fast-moving water.