A pleasant afternoon outing turned into a nightmare for three young friends in Jharkhand's Chatra district as they were swept away by the strong currents of Sone River near Pokhrahi village on Tuesday.
The three youths, identified as Rahul Kumar, Sanjay Patel, and Deepak Singh, all residents of nearby areas, had gone to the river for a swim during the scorching summer day. According to local villagers who witnessed the tragic incident, the young men ventured into deep waters where the current proved too powerful for them.
Desperate Search Operation Underway
Local authorities immediately launched a massive search and rescue operation upon receiving information about the incident. Multiple teams including local police, disaster response personnel, and expert swimmers have been combing the river since Tuesday afternoon.
"The search operation continued throughout the night with the help of floodlights and resumed at first light this morning," said a senior police official from the area. "We are using all available resources, but the strong currents and depth of the river are making the operation challenging."
Community in Mourning
The incident has sent shockwaves through Pokhrahi village and surrounding communities. Family members of the missing youths have gathered at the riverbank, their hopes fading with each passing hour as they await any positive news.
Local villagers expressed their concern about the increasing number of drowning incidents in the Sone River, particularly during summer months when young people seek relief from the heat in its waters.
Authorities Issue Water Safety Warning
This tragic incident has prompted local authorities to reiterate their warnings about the dangers of swimming in rivers during monsoon season when currents are particularly strong and unpredictable.
"We appeal to everyone, especially young people, to avoid swimming in rivers without proper safety measures and supervision," the district administration stated in an official release.
As the search operation enters its critical phase, the entire community prays for a miracle while confronting the harsh reality of river safety in rural India.
