Cuttack: A heartbreaking incident claimed the lives of two minors, Somya Ranjan Behera and Shrishant Jena, who drowned in the Mahanadi River near the Jobra Anicut on Thursday. The tragedy occurred around noon when six students from a nearby riverside locality went to bathe in the river.
According to reports, four of the children were swept away by strong currents. Local boatmen and the fire brigade promptly rescued two of them, but Somya Ranjan and Shrishant remained missing. After an intensive search, the two were found unconscious and rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital. However, doctors declared them dead on arrival.
This stretch of the Mahanadi River has been the site of multiple drowning incidents in recent years, claiming numerous lives. The recurring tragedies have prompted local residents to demand urgent action from the state government. They are calling for the deployment of police personnel and the designation of the area as a restricted zone to prevent further loss of life.
The loss of the two young lives has cast a pall over the community, highlighting the need for stricter safety protocols at this popular yet perilous riverside location.
