Bhadrak, Jul 3: A farmer drowned while attempting to cross a flooded river to inspect his paddy fields in Odisha's Bhadrak district on Monday.

The deceased has been identified as Abhimanyu Mallick, a resident of Sua village under Sudarshanpur Panchayat in Basudevpur block.

According to local sources, Abhimanyu had cultivated paddy on farmland located across the Dhuba River, a branch of the Gamei River. After floodwaters submerged his crop, he set out on Monday morning to assess the damage. While crossing the swollen river, he reportedly drowned due to the strong current.

Villagers later noticed his bicycle parked on the riverbank and alerted his family. The family immediately informed the police and the Fire Services department, which launched a search operation.

After an extensive search, firefighters recovered Abhimanyu from the river in an unconscious condition and rushed him to the Basudevpur Community Health Centre. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Police have registered the case and initiated an investigation. The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the village and highlights the dangers posed by flood-swollen rivers in the aftermath of heavy rainfall.