Boy Drowns, Another Missing in Sidua River Tragedy; CM Naveen Patnaik Expresses Grief

A tragic incident unfolded in Odisha’s Cuttack district on Sunday as a boy drowned and another went missing after being swept away by strong currents in the Sidua river, officials said.

The mishap occurred near Basant Kundal village under the jurisdiction of Cuttack 42 Mouza police station, when two boys from the locality went to the river and accidentally slipped into deep water.

“Both were caught in strong currents. Locals managed to rescue one boy, but the other remains untraced,” Assistant Fire Officer Sanjeev Kumar Behera said. Rescue teams from the Fire Services Department have launched a search operation to locate the missing child.

Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family and directed officials to extend all necessary assistance.

Local authorities have urged people to stay cautious and avoid venturing into deep or fast-flowing water bodies, especially during the ongoing post-monsoon season.