Argus News - Student Goes Missing While Bathing In Mahanadi River, Search Underway

Cuttack, Apr 18: A student went missing in the Mahanadi River while bathing with two of his friends at Bankol village under Kishannagar police station area in Odisha's Cuttack district, a source said Saturday.

According to the source, the three friends had gone to the river to take a bath when one of them lost his balance and was swept away by the water. On receiving the information, Fire Services personnel rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation.

The officials confirmed that all possible efforts are being made to trace the missing person.

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Drowning Accounts for Majority of Deaths
The incident came to light amid concerning drowning death cases in the state.

A total of 6,578 people died due to lightning, drowning and snakebites across Odisha over the last two financial years, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari had informed the Assembly in March.

Of the total fatalities, 3,860 people died due to drowning in various water bodies, making it the leading cause.

Lightning strikes claimed 600 lives, while 2,118 people died due to snakebites, Pujari said.

More than 200 drowning deaths were reported from districts including Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Ganjam and Cuttack during the period.

This story is compiled by Manisha Dhal.