Keonjhar, August 30: A tragic incident unfolded at the Nageera Garjan Khol waterfall, situated on the border of Keonjhar and Angul districts, where a youth went missing after reportedly drowning while bathing with friends.
According to reports, three young men- two from Balrai village under Banspal block of Keonjhar district and one from Goppur village- had visited the waterfall on Friday afternoon. While bathing and enjoying the scenic location, one of them, identified as Lipun Kumar Behera of Balrai village, suddenly drowned and went missing.
Following the incident, the Banspal fire brigade was immediately alerted and launched a search operation. However, the efforts had to be suspended after nightfall due to poor visibility and the challenging terrain. The operation resumed early Saturday morning.
Rescue personnel stated that the considerable depth of the waterfall is hindering search efforts. Meanwhile, the recurring nature of such mishaps, often attributed to negligence, has sparked concern among locals. Lipun’s family and the villagers are reportedly shattered by the incident, as rescue operations continue.
Authorities have urged visitors to exercise caution while visiting such natural sites, especially during the monsoon season when water levels are high and currents unpredictable.
