Malkangiri, June 8: A youth drowned while bathing at Potteru Barrage in Odisha's Malkangiri district on Sunday, triggering grief among family members who witnessed the tragedy unfold before their eyes.
The deceased has been identified as Anup Dhar of MV-36 village under Korukonda block. According to reports, Anup had visited Potteru Barrage near Balimela along with his family members for a bath.
During the outing, Anup, his uncle Naveen Choudhury and cousin Chhotu Dhar entered the water and were swept into a deeper portion of the barrage. While Naveen and Chhotu managed to return to safety after a struggle, Anup failed to resurface.
It is suspected that Anup's leg got trapped between rocks under the water, preventing him from coming out. Family members launched a frantic search but could not trace him.
On being informed, Orkel police reached the spot and, with the help of local residents, recovered Anup's body from the water. He was immediately taken to the Balimela Medical Centre, where doctors declared him dead.
The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the village, with the bereaved family struggling to come to terms with the loss.
