Differently-Abled Girl Drowns While Trying To Save Brother In Mayurbhanj Canal

Baripada/Bhubaneswar: A tragic drowning incident in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district claimed the lives of two siblings after they were swept away by strong currents while crossing a canal, police said.

The deceased have been identified as Parameswar Nayak and his sister Nandini Nayak, residents of Mahalarpada village under Khunta police limits. Nandini was differently abled.

According to reports, the siblings were crossing a canal connected to the Naluha River when Parameswar suddenly lost his footing and was carried away by the powerful current. On seeing her brother being swept downstream, Nandini reportedly entered the water in an attempt to rescue him. However, she too was caught in the current, and both siblings drowned.

After receiving information about the incident, Fire Services personnel from Khunta reached the area and launched a search operation. The bodies were subsequently recovered from two separate locations near the Karakachia bridge and handed over to police for further proceedings.

The deaths have left the residents of Mahalarpada village in mourning.

In another drowning incident, a 69-year-old man went missing after being swept away by strong currents while taking a bath in the Mahendratanaya River at Paralakhemundi in Odisha’s Gajapati district.

The missing man has been identified as Durga Prasad Panda, a resident of the area. The incident reportedly occurred around 5:40 am in the Amara area.

Panda had gone to the river for his usual morning bath when he was suddenly caught in the strong current and swept away.

Following the incident, a search operation was launched to trace him. Efforts to locate Panda were continuing when the last report was received.