A tragic end to a desperate three-day search in Gajapati district! A 19-year-old youth, who went missing after being swept away by strong river currents during Cyclone Arnab, has been found dead.
The incident has left his family and the local community in deep grief.
What began as a routine visit to a relative’s house turned into a heartbreaking tragedy.
The deceased has been identified as Premananda Gamang, a 19-year-old resident of Titili village under Rayagada block in Gajapati district.
According to reports, Premananda had visited his relative’s house in Sada village on Tuesday for some personal work. While returning home, he was reportedly swept away by the strong current of a swollen river amid heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Arnab.
When he failed to return, his family members searched for him in nearby areas but could not find any trace.
Continuous rainfall and strong winds had severely disrupted communication, making it difficult for the family to immediately inform the police.
After three days of uncertainty, some local residents spotted a body floating in a river near a neighbouring village on Friday. The information soon reached Titili village, following which Premananda’s family rushed to the spot and identified him.
Police were subsequently informed. A team from Rayagada police station recovered the body and sent it to Paralakhemundi for post-mortem examination.
Rayagada Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Pramod Kumar Khandual confirmed that an unnatural death case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
Cyclone Arnab may have weakened, but its impact continues to leave behind painful consequences.
For Premananda’s family, the three-day search has ended in an unbearable loss. Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
