Sundargarh: The body of Deepesh Pradhan, a PhD student of the Mathematics Department at NIT Rourkela, who had gone missing after being swept away by strong currents at Kanakunda, was recovered on Wednesday after an intensive search operation lasting nearly 86 hours.
The body was recovered at around 12.50 pm from Balighat in Baisnabahal village under Yamuna Panchayat of Subdega block, about 1.5 km downstream from the 7 Bakhara area of Kanakunda, which falls under the jurisdiction of Talsara police station in Sundargarh district.
A massive search and rescue operation had been underway since Saturday, involving teams from Jharsuguda ODRAF, Rourkela ODRAF, Balishankara and Subdega fire services, and Talsara police. Firefighters and rescue personnel conducted round-the-clock operations in difficult conditions for four consecutive days before the body was finally located.
Personnel from the fire services, including Leading Fire Fighters Pramod Bhoi, Umesh Khadia, Niranjan Kal and Ling Banjara from Balishankara, and Rajat Bhengra, Sumant Kumar Bag, Sanjit Bag, Fakir Mohan Nayak and Basant Behera from Subdega, were part of the extended search efforts.
According to sources, the incident occurred on Saturday afternoon when Deepesh, along with four friends, had travelled to Kanakunda in a Bolero vehicle for a visit. At around 3.50 pm, while bathing at the Sata Bakhara spot, he was swept away by a sudden and strong water current. His friends raised an alarm and local residents who were bathing nearby attempted to rescue him, but he could not be traced.
The police and fire services were informed immediately. Despite an initial search conducted soon after the incident, Deepesh could not be located. The search operation was subsequently intensified with the induction of ODRAF teams and additional fire service units.
After the recovery of the body, Talsara police registered an unnatural death case. The body was sent to the Sundargarh District Headquarters Hospital for post-mortem examination. Following the autopsy, the body was handed over to the family members.
