Chamba: One untraced after 2 drown in rivulet

One youth died and another went missing while taking a dip in Odra rivulet in Mangla Panchayat near Chamba town on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as 22-year-old Nitesh, a resident of Bhulin village while the missing youth has been identified as Virender, 22, from Uthar village under Charda Post Office in Churah subdivision.

The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon when the two friends went to bathe in the rivulet. They are believed to have misjudged the depth of the water and were swept away by the current.

Local residents, who witnessed the youths drowning, immediately rushed to help and alerted the police. A rescue team from the Sultanpur Police Post reached the spot and launched a search operation. Nitesh’s body was recovered after intense efforts and has been sent for post-mortem. However, Virender remains untraced as the search continues, said Superintendent of Chamba Abhishek Yadav.

The police have registered a case under relevant law and further investigations are underway.