Five missing in Brahmaputra after tragedy at Kharghuli; SDRF, NDRF continue search operations

A tragic incident unfolded in Kharguli on Wednesday after a group of nine people went to bathe in the Brahmaputra River, resulting in five individuals going missing. The five missing individuals have been identified as Upesh Kumar (Biswanath Chariali), Sagar Kumar (Gurgaon), Pratap, Ranok Chadak, and Abhijeet. Rescue operations are currently underway.

According to initial reports, four people were rescued and immediately taken to the hospital, where they underwent medical examinations. Police are now questioning them to determine the sequence of events leading to the tragedy.

Confusion over visit to Bhakti Kutir

Police initially claimed that the group had visited Bhakti Kutir, but the establishment denied this, stating that the group had not arrived at their premises. Tensions rose briefly when a journalist was reportedly prevented from entering the site for coverage.

Details of the group

Out of the nine individuals, one is the son of the owner of Bhakti Kutir. Five are from Assam, while three are from outside the state. The group had arrived in Guwahati on Sunday for a trip and reportedly left Bhakti Kutir around 10 a.m. today for the riverside location where the incident occurred.

Intensive search efforts underway

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) deployed two boats for the search operation, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also joined with multiple teams and equipment.

An official at the site said:
“There was no local present to tell us the exact spot where they sank. On our own, we have four boats searching up to Umananda, which is nearly two kilometres from here. NDRF teams are also searching along the riverbanks for any possible clues.”

He further added that the strong undercurrents in the Brahmaputra make the situation even more challenging:
“The flow beneath the river is extremely strong. If someone has sunk, they may be carried far downstream. Until one of the group members comes forward to explain what happened, we can only work with assumptions and investigate accordingly.”

Search to resume tomorrow

As visibility dropped in the evening, the NDRF halted operations due to darkness. The search will resume again tomorrow morning.

Authorities continue to coordinate efforts, while families of the missing await further updates.

Also Read: Guwahati Police Clarify No Complaint Filed After Foreign Vlogger’s Allegation of Harassment at Post Malone Concert