Tragic Drowning Incident in Sonbhadra Canal Claims Two Lives
A devastating incident unfolded in the Pipri police station area of Sonbhadra district, where a young woman and a toddler lost their lives after drowning in a canal connected to the Rihand dam. The victims have been identified as 24-year-old Usha and her two-year-old niece Rinki. The tragic event occurred on Monday evening in the Belwadah locality, casting a pall of grief over the community.
Details of the Fatal Accident
The unfortunate incident took place around 6 PM on Monday when local resident Rahul was crossing a small canal with the assistance of a tube. He was accompanied by his wife Usha and their young niece Rinki. During the crossing, a sudden loss of balance caused both Usha and Rinki to slip from the tube and fall into the deep waters of the canal.
Nearby villagers quickly gathered at the spot upon witnessing the accident and immediately alerted the police. Law enforcement personnel arrived promptly and initiated a search operation with the help of local divers. However, the efforts were hampered by darkness and dense underwater vegetation, preventing successful recovery that evening.
Intensive Search and Recovery Operation
On Tuesday morning, a specialized nine-member State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team from Varanasi reached the incident site around 10 AM. The team, led by Sub-Inspector Shahanshah Katiyar, commenced an intensive search operation in the canal waters.
After approximately four hours of dedicated efforts, the SDRF team successfully recovered both bodies around 2 PM. The victims were found trapped in underwater bushes, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by rescue personnel. The entire search and recovery operation spanned nearly 20 hours from the time of the accident.
Official Response and Investigation
Circle Officer Randhir Mishra confirmed that the bodies were sent for post-mortem examination following their recovery. The incident has raised concerns about safety measures around water bodies in the region, particularly canals connected to major dams like Rihand.
This tragic drowning incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers posed by water crossings, especially when using makeshift methods like tubes. The local community remains in shock as authorities continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding this heartbreaking event.
