Youth missing after going to bathe in the Damodar river in Andal, rescue team engaged in search operations
Andal, August 26: A youth was swept away by the strong current while bathing in the Damodar river. This tragic incident took place on Tuesday afternoon in the Damodar river area under Andal police station in Paschim Bardhaman district. The missing youth has been identified as Nepal Ray (27). He is known to be a permanent resident of Madanpur Raypara under Andal police station. A pall of gloom has descended on the entire area following this incident, and wailing can be heard among family members.
According to information received from police and local sources, Nepal Ray of Madanpur Raypara had gone down to the Damodar river to bathe around 2 PM on Tuesday to get relief from the intense heat and humidity. According to eyewitness accounts, while bathing, he suddenly drifted towards the deep waters of the river and lost his balance due to the gushing current, getting swept away. As the matter came to the notice of people nearby, they started shouting and initiated a search in the river at the local level. As the news spread in a moment, local residents gathered on the riverbank. Upon receiving the news, family members of the missing youth also rushed to the spot.
Overwhelmed by the suddenness of the incident, the family informed the Andal police station. Upon receiving the news, the police of Andal police station reached the spot promptly. In the presence of the police, local swimmers and residents entered the river and started search operations. However, despite searching throughout Tuesday and into the night, no trace of the missing youth was found. As searching in the dark posed difficulties, the rescue work had to be suspended for the first day.
Subsequently, on Wednesday morning, the administration was informed and the disaster management forces were called. Upon receiving the news, a special rescue team from the district administration's Disaster Management Group (DMG) arrived at the spot. Equipped with modern tools and boats, they entered the river and launched an intensive search operation to find the swept-away youth. According to the latest reports, although searches are being conducted in various parts of the river using nets and deploying divers, no trace of the youth has been found yet.
Meanwhile, even after nearly 24 hours of the incident, no trace of Nepal Ray has been found, causing extreme anxiety and distress among his family and the entire Madanpur area. Local residents have demanded stricter surveillance and precautionary measures from the administration for river safety.
