Tragic Drowning Incident in Mandi: Two Friends Lose Their Lives After Birthday Celebration

A Celebration Turns to Tragedy

Munish Sood

A joyful night intended for celebration turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when two friends drowned in the BSL canal located near Baggi in the Balh subdivision of Mandi district after attending a birthday party on Friday night. This unfortunate event has left the local community in deep shock and raised serious concerns regarding safety measures along canal banks.

Initial reports indicate that three friends — Ashish Gautam, Sudhir, and Hardeep — gathered at Baggi to celebrate Hardeep’s birthday. Following a festive round of cake-cutting, photos, and laughter, the trio reportedly settled by the BSL canal around 10 PM.

Witnesses and police sources have confirmed that the group had been drinking alcohol during the festivities. In a moment of emotional turmoil, Sudhir allegedly voiced his distress over personal matters and jumped into the canal. In a frantic effort to rescue him, Ashish Gautam also jumped into the water. The powerful current quickly swept both men away, and they vanished into the darkness.

Hardeep, the third friend, immediately raised the alarm, calling for help and alerting nearby residents, but he was unable to intervene in time. Rescue teams, including police and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were dispatched to the scene. An overnight search operation was initiated, but by Saturday morning, no sign of either man had been discovered.

On Saturday, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Balh, Smritika Negi, visited the site to assess the ongoing rescue efforts. She held a briefing with NDRF officials, who reported that the strong water current continues to hinder operations, increasing the likelihood that the bodies may have drifted further downstream.

Ashish Gautam, a resident of Panjgai in Bilaspur district, worked at a bank in Sundernagar and was married to the well-known Himachali folk singer Rakhi Gautam. Sudhir, who was from Sundernagar, was reportedly Ashish’s landlord, and the two shared a close bond.

This incident has cast a shadow over the region, with locals mourning the untimely loss of life. Authorities are persisting with their search and rescue operations, deploying teams along the canal route. Further updates are anticipated as the efforts continue.