Keonjhar, Sept 9: A youth from Balasore district has gone missing after reportedly being swept away by a strong current at the Gundichaghagi waterfall, located under Ghatagaon police limits in Keonjhar district.

The missing individual has been identified as Debesh Behera, a resident of Bartana village under Soro police station. According to sources, Debesh had travelled with his family to Ghatagaon to seek blessings at the revered Maa Tarini Temple. Following the temple visit, the group proceeded to the nearby Gundichaghagi waterfall for sightseeing.

Tragically, while exploring the area, Debesh is believed to have slipped and been carried away by a strong water current at the top of the falls. Local authorities were alerted immediately, and a team from the fire services department launched a rescue operation. However, even after more than two hours of search efforts, the youth remains untraced.

Similar Incidents Raise Safety Concerns at Tourist Waterfalls

This incident is the latest in a series of similar tragedies reported across Odisha involving visitors at popular waterfall sites.

On August 23, Sagar Tudu, a YouTuber from Berhampur in Ganjam district, went missing after falling into the Duduma waterfall in Koraput district. While filming the scenic landscape, Tudu was caught off guard by a sudden surge of water released from a nearby dam and was swept away. Rescue efforts have so far failed to locate him.

In another tragic case at Duduma waterfall, a young engineer from West Bengal fell into the gorge while on a trip with his brother and sister-in-law, who reside in Bhubaneswar. After 82 days of extensive search operations, his headless and decomposed body was eventually recovered.