Mahanadi River Selfie Turns Tragic: Youth Missing, Two Rescued
Kataka witnessed a heartbreaking incident at the Naraj Puruna Pathar Anicut near Barang when three youths ventured into the Mahanadi River to bathe and take selfies.
The slippery stone structure and sudden surge of water swept them into the strong current.
Local youths displayed remarkable courage, rescuing two of them.
Alia Sethy used a towel to save one, while Sanjay Dhal, Natha Prusti, and Rakesh Behera rowed a boat against the current to rescue another.
However, 22‑year‑old Akash Behera remains missing despite intensive search operations by police and fire brigade teams.
The tragedy has devastated Akash’s mother, Kamini Behera, who had just performed the death anniversary rituals of her elder son three days earlier.
The incident underscores the dangers of fast‑flowing rivers and the risks of taking selfies in hazardous locations.
