At least five people are missing after being swept away by the Brahmaputra while swimming at Bhakti Kutir in Guwahati’s Kharghuli area, officials said on Thursday, December 10.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), eight people had entered the river on Wednesday evening. Three of them managed to return to the bank and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“Five others have not been found yet. NDRF, SDRF and local authorities are jointly conducting an intensive search and rescue operation,” an ASDMA official said, adding that the identities of the missing individuals are still being verified.
Rescue teams have cordoned off the stretch of the river to ensure the operation can continue without interruption. No bodies have been recovered so far.
A senior NDRF official said that the Brahmaputra’s unpredictable currents are making the search more difficult.
“The river looks calm on the surface, but strong undercurrents are pulling everything downstream. It’s unlikely the missing individuals are still close to the spot where they went under. Our teams are scanning downstream areas as well,” the official said.
Authorities are continuing the search on a war footing, though officials cautioned that poor visibility and strong currents may slow down the operation. More updates are awaited.