A tragic incident occurred on Friday afternoon when two youths from Manimajra were swept away by the strong current of the swollen Ghaggar river near the Bhankharpur bridge near Mubarikpur. One body has been recovered, while the search for the second continues.
How the incident unfolded at the Ghaggar river
According to The Tribune, the victims were identified as Surender, Darshan, and Chanda — all residents of Indira Colony in Manimajra. The three friends had gone to the river by auto-rickshaw to catch fish. During their time at the river, Darshan allegedly slipped into the swollen water and was quickly carried away by the powerful current. Surender attempted to rescue his friend but was also swept away.
Survivor's account and family response
Chanda, the third member of the group, managed to survive by grabbing hold of nearby bushes and pulling himself to safety. He then returned home to inform the families. Surender's wife told The Tribune, "The three men left home around 2:30 pm on Friday. Chanda came home to inform us. We then reached here along with our family members and the colony pradhan." After being informed, family members of the two missing youths rushed to the riverbank.
Search and recovery operation
Following the incident, local authorities and family members launched a search operation. One body has been recovered so far, though the report does not specify which victim was found. The search for the second missing youth is still ongoing.
Our Take: A preventable tragedy on the Ghaggar
This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by swollen rivers, especially during the rainy season. The Ghaggar river, which often appears calm, can turn deadly with little warning. In our view, this tragedy highlights the need for better awareness and warning systems near riverbanks. While fishing is a common pastime, the lack of safety measures and the unpredictability of the current proved fatal. Our thoughts are with the families of Surender and Darshan. We hope the authorities expedite the search for the second missing youth and take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
