Tragic Drowning During Religious Ritual in Yamuna River
A devastating incident unfolded in East Delhi's Mayur Vihar area when a young man lost his life during a religious ceremony. The tragedy occurred during idol immersion in the Yamuna River, sparking an extensive multi-agency rescue operation that continued through the night and into the following day.
Police Alert and Initial Investigation
According to official reports, the Mayur Vihar police station received critical information from Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday evening. The alert concerned a male individual who had drowned in a canal that flows into the Yamuna River. Local police teams immediately rushed to the location and began conducting preliminary enquiries to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident.
During their investigation, authorities discovered that a group of approximately 8 to 10 people from Sector-5, Harola in Noida had traveled to the Yamuna River specifically for idol immersion purposes. From this group, four individuals entered the canal water to perform the immersion ritual. While three members of the group managed to exit the water safely, one person was tragically swept away by the strong current.
Victim Identification and Eyewitness Accounts
The missing individual was subsequently identified as Vikas, a 20-year-old resident of Harola, Noida. Eyewitnesses present at the scene provided crucial information to investigating officers, describing how Vikas lost his balance in the fast-flowing water. Before any rescue attempt could be made, the powerful current carried him away, leading to the tragic drowning incident.
Large-Scale Rescue Operation Mobilized
Immediately following the incident, authorities launched a comprehensive search and rescue operation. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) of Uttar Pradesh took the lead in efforts to trace the missing young man. Through the control room system, information was rapidly conveyed to multiple agencies including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Fire Brigade, and ambulance services, all of whom were mobilized to assist in the operation.
Professional divers with specialized training were called to the site to support the search efforts. According to Boat Club In-charge Harish, the rescue operation commenced at approximately 8:30 PM on Saturday. However, due to challenging conditions including poor visibility and inadequate lighting at the site, the operation had to be suspended around 12:30 AM on Sunday.
Resumed Search Efforts and Operational Challenges
The search operation resumed early Sunday morning at approximately 6:20 AM with renewed determination. Harish confirmed that four boats and fourteen trained divers were deployed for the operation, with teams thoroughly scanning both the canal and nearby stretches of the Yamuna River.
The rescue operation faced significant challenges due to multiple factors:
- Strong water currents in the area that complicated search efforts
- The convergence of water from the Kondli Canal at the exact spot where the drowning occurred
- Limited visibility conditions during nighttime operations
- The complex underwater terrain of the canal and river system
Despite these substantial obstacles, rescue personnel continued their efforts with extreme caution and dedication. Using boats and trained divers, they conducted thorough searches of the area in hopes of locating the missing man. The operation represents a coordinated effort between multiple state and national agencies working under difficult circumstances to address this tragic incident.
This drowning during a religious ceremony highlights the potential dangers associated with water-based rituals, particularly in areas with strong currents and challenging environmental conditions. The incident has drawn attention to safety concerns during religious observances involving water bodies.
