In a tragic conclusion to the search in Chhattisgarh’s remote Bijapur district, rescue teams found the last victim, 70-year-old Bhado, entangled in bushes along the Indravati River. The recovery marked the end of a challenging operation that also located the bodies of 25-year-old Sunita Kawasi, 45-year-old Podia, and her two-year-old son Rakesh, who were all swept away by the river. The accident, which claimed the lives of an entire family from Bodga village, has deeply affected the local tribal community.
The family patriarch, Sannu, remains unaware of the tragedy as he is away for work in Andhra Pradesh, with poor communication preventing the news from reaching him. The incident occurred as the family was returning from the weekly market in Uspari, a routine trip for residents in the area. Lack of infrastructure, including bridges and paved roads, forces villagers to rely on overloaded boats for river crossings, posing significant risks.
The Indravati River has a history of claiming lives, particularly during the post-rainy season when water levels rise. Despite improved security due to anti-Naxal operations, the absence of basic infrastructure in the Maoist-influenced region continues to endanger lives. The accident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities in these remote tribal areas.
