Search Continues for Missing Victims in Brahmaputra Drowning Incident

In a tragic incident near Kharghuli, Guwahati, the third body has been recovered from the Brahmaputra river, while search efforts continue for two missing individuals. The victims were part of a group that went for a ritual bath on December 10, leading to a series of unfortunate events. With the involvement of the National and State Disaster Response Forces, the search operations are ongoing, highlighting the dangers posed by the river's strong currents. Survivors recount the sudden changes in water depth that contributed to the tragedy. As the community mourns, officials urge caution around the river's seemingly calm surface.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 17, 2025, 16:18 IST

Ongoing Search Efforts in Guwahati

Guwahati, Dec 17: On Wednesday, authorities recovered the third body from the Brahmaputra river, linked to a drowning incident near Kharghuli, while efforts persist to find the remaining two individuals, officials reported.

The deceased has been identified as Sagar Gautam. A member of the search team indicated that the body was discovered floating in the river after local police were notified.

Members of Bhakti Kutir, the organization associated with the victims, were promptly informed of the recovery.

“With Gautam’s body found, two individuals, Abhijit Choudhury and Upesh Kumar, remain unaccounted for,” stated a representative from Bhakti Kutir.

The unfortunate event occurred on December 10, when a group of nine individuals visited the Brahmaputra riverbank at Kharguli for a ritual bath. Five members of the group entered the water and subsequently went missing.

Previously, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) located the body of Pratap Rai on December 15, while another missing person, Raunak, was found on December 13. Four members of the group managed to survive the incident.

A comprehensive search operation has been ongoing since the tragedy, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF scouring the Brahmaputra area near Kharghuli.

NDRF officials reported that the first alert was received around 12:50 PM on December 10, and rescue teams arrived within 15 minutes. However, strong currents in the river complicated immediate rescue efforts.

One survivor, Pranav Nayar from Vrindavan, shared with the media that the group had separated at the riverbank. “There were nine of us. Five went to a different location and didn’t return. The four of us who could swim survived,” he explained.

Another survivor recounted how a sudden change in water depth contributed to the incident. Initially, the water seemed shallow, but it deepened unexpectedly as they advanced.

Despite some being able to swim, the powerful current pulled several individuals under the water.

Officials have warned that while the Brahmaputra may appear calm, it often conceals strong undercurrents that can sweep people away.

As of the latest updates, search operations are still in progress to locate the two missing individuals.