Shimla, March 20,
Two young men are feared to have drowned in a rivulet near Sainj in Banjar Valley, Kullu district, on Thursday. The missing individuals, identified as Ghanshyam and Dharmender, were students of the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Thalout, Mandi district.
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According to reports, the duo had gone for a bath in the rivulet during the afternoon when they were caught in strong currents and swept away. Upon receiving an alert from locals, the police immediately launched a search operation. “We have deployed local divers and are utilizing all available resources to locate them,” a police official stated. However, no breakthrough had been achieved as of the latest update.
Eyewitnesses mentioned that recent rainfall had significantly raised the water level, making the rivulet more dangerous. “They stepped into the water, unaware of the undercurrents. Within moments, they were struggling, and before anyone could react, they vanished,” recounted a local resident.
This incident follows another tragedy just a day earlier, where two teenagers lost their lives after falling into the Takoli rivulet in Sohari, Una district. The back-to-back mishaps have heightened concerns about safety near water bodies, particularly as the summer season encourages more people to visit such areas.
Authorities have issued warnings urging residents and tourists to exercise caution near rivers and streams, especially in hilly regions where water levels can rise unexpectedly. “We appeal to everyone to avoid bathing in such unpredictable water bodies without adequate safety measures,” the official added.
Meanwhile, search operations for the missing youths continue, with hopes of a positive outcome.
