Youth Dies After Falling into Rocky River at Balimela; Autopsy to Reveal Cause of Death
Manas Mallick, Odishabarta
Malkangiri, September 7, 2026:A 33-year-old youth died after allegedly drowning in a rocky river in the Balimela Notified Area under Korukonda Block of Malkangiri district.
The deceased has been identified as Gupteshwar Mohanty, son of Surya Narayan Mohanty and Jhunu Mohanty, a resident of Post Office Line, Balimela.
According to reports, Gupteshwar reportedly left his home at around 2:30 am on September 6 without informing his family members. When he did not return, his family members searched for him extensively. Finding no trace of him, they lodged a written missing-person report at Orkel Police Station.
The police subsequently began an investigation to trace the missing youth.
At around 8 am on September 7, a fisherman identified as Jagat had cast his fishing net into the river as usual. He was reportedly shocked to find a dead body caught in the net. He immediately informed the family members of the missing youth.
Gupteshwar’s brother, Siddheshwar Mohanty, reached the spot and identified the body as that of his brother. He then informed the police.
On receiving the information, ASI Sanjeev Kumar Thakiri, along with other police personnel, rushed to the spot and informed the Fire Services Department. Fire Services personnel reached the location at around 8:30 am, recovered the body from the river and sent it to Malkangiri District Headquarters Hospital for post-mortem examination.
During the preliminary investigation, police reportedly suspected that Gupteshwar may have gone to the river to attend to nature’s call and accidentally slipped on the rocky riverbank, subsequently drowning.
However, the exact circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear. Whether it was an accidental drowning or involved any other circumstances will be established after the post-mortem examination and further police investigation.
Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.
