Tragedy struck on a leisurely weekend outing for a group of eight friends from the NCR region, who had gathered at Mast Ram Baba Ganga ghat in Lakshman Jhula, Rishikesh. While enjoying a dip near the iconic Lakshman Jhula area, two members of the group, Neha Dutt and Sahil Gupta, were unexpectedly swept away by the strong currents of the Ganga river.
The alarm was raised when authorities received reports of the incident, prompting swift action from the local police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Led by the diligent efforts of the Lakshman Jhula police and SDRF teams, a search operation was immediately launched to locate the missing individuals.
Among the group, Sakshi Kumari also faced a perilous situation, slipping and falling unconscious while bathing in the river. Quick intervention from the police ensured her prompt transfer to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
The remaining members of the group, including Chahat, Ankur Anand, Shreya, Naman, and Anupriya, were fortunately unharmed but undoubtedly shaken by the ordeal.
In response to the incident and recognizing the bustling tourism in the Haridwar-Rishikesh region, authorities have ramped up patrols and deployed specialized SDRF-Jal Police squads to monitor sensitive riverbanks and ensure the safety of visitors.
As the search for Neha and Sahil continues, a dedicated team of SDRF personnel, including expert divers, persists in their efforts to reunite the missing tourists with their companions.