Two Students Drown, Two Missing After Tragic Picnic Mishap at Ghagara Waterfall

Rourkela: A picnic trip turned into a tragedy on Friday after a group of school students from an English-medium institution in Rourkela met with a fatal accident at Ghagara Waterfall near Lathikata-Birakera in Sundargarh district. Two students drowned, while two others remain missing as rescue operations continue.

According to initial reports from the Fire Services Department, the group of students had gone to the scenic waterfall for a picnic in the afternoon. The group included Abhijit Hobo, Sumit Seth, Abhishek Sahu, Pritam Hansda, Om Suna, and Anurag Das.

Local sources said that while the students were enjoying near the waterfall, some of them slipped and were swept away by the strong water current. On being informed, Fire Services personnel rushed to the site and launched a rescue operation. Two students were pulled out of the water and rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared them brought dead.

Meanwhile, two others — Om Suna and Anurag Das — are still missing, and a massive search operation is underway to locate them.

Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution while visiting waterfalls and other water bodies, especially during the post-monsoon season when currents are strong and unpredictable.