Narmada River drowning: Bodies of 2 Rajasthan youths recovered in Dhar after 15-hour rescue
Synopsis
Two cement company workers from Rajasthan drowned in the Narmada at Dhar's Semalda Ghat on Sunday — hours after a crocodile was spotted at the same spot and warnings were issued. A 15-hour overnight rescue operation ended Monday morning when divers recovered both bodies, as the victims' families watched from the bank.
Key Takeaways
Pooran Yadav and Dinesh Yadav , both from Kotputli, Rajasthan , drowned in the Narmada River at Semalda Narmada Ghat , Manawar, Dhar on Sunday, 25 May .
Both were reportedly employees of a private cement company's plant in Tonki, Manawar .
The two were swept into a section approximately 15 to 20 feet deep and caught in a strong current; companions and boatmen could not save them.
A 15-hour rescue operation — suspended overnight due to darkness — ended with the recovery of both bodies on Monday morning .
A crocodile had been spotted at the same ghat at 10 am on Sunday , and warnings were issued; the group was reportedly unaware of the alert.
Police have completed procedural formalities and handed the bodies over to the families.
Two young men drowned in the Narmada River at Semalda Narmada Ghat in Manawar tehsil of Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday, 25 May, after being swept into deep, fast-moving waters while bathing. The bodies of both victims — identified as Pooran Yadav and Dinesh Yadav, residents of Kotputli, Rajasthan — were recovered on Monday morning following a gruelling 15-hour rescue operation.
How the Incident Unfolded
The four friends — Pooran Yadav, Dinesh Yadav, Manoj Yadav, and Naveen Yogi — had visited the ghat around 5 pm on Sunday to relax and bathe during their weekly day off. All four were reportedly employees of a private cement company's plant in Tonki, Manawar.
While wading in the river, Pooran and Dinesh drifted into a section approximately 15 to 20 feet deep and were caught in a strong undercurrent. Their companions and local boatmen mounted an immediate rescue attempt, but the force of the current made it impossible to pull the two men to safety.
Survivor Naveen Yogi told officials that he and Manoj had remained in the shallower stretch and witnessed the incident as it happened.
Rescue Operation and Recovery
Manawar police and district administration officials reached the ghat shortly after the alarm was raised and launched a coordinated search with the assistance of local villagers and boatmen. The operation continued through Sunday night before being suspended due to darkness.
It resumed at first light on Monday in the presence of the victims' family members. Divers eventually recovered both bodies on Monday morning, bringing the 15-hour operation to a close.
Crocodile Warning Ignored
The tragedy carries a grim additional detail. Local villagers said a crocodile had been spotted at the same ghat as recently as 10 am on Sunday — hours before the four friends arrived — and a video of the sighting had reportedly gone viral on social media. Warnings were issued advising people to stay out of the water, but according to officials, the group was unaware of the alert when they entered the river.
Background and Broader Context
The Narmada River's ghats in Dhar district attract workers and residents seeking respite, particularly on weekends. Deep pockets and erratic currents at several bathing points along the river have been linked to drowning incidents in previous years. This is at least the second reported drowning fatality at a Narmada ghat in the region in recent months, raising fresh questions about warning infrastructure and public awareness at riverside bathing sites.
Police have registered a case and are completing procedural formalities. The bodies have been handed over to the families for last rites.
Point of View
Yet it never reached them. That gap between a viral social media video and an actionable public alert at the ghat itself is where lives are lost. Riverside bathing points along the Narmada in Madhya Pradesh lack consistent signage, barriers, or on-site personnel — a gap that recurs with each monsoon season. Authorities registering a case and releasing bodies is procedural closure, not accountability. The real question is whether Dhar district will install permanent warning infrastructure before the next incident, or wait for another 15-hour recovery operation to prompt the conversation.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the youths who drowned in the Narmada River in Dhar?
The deceased have been identified as Pooran Yadav and Dinesh Yadav, both residents of Kotputli in Rajasthan. They were reportedly employed at a private cement company's plant in Tonki, Manawar, and were visiting the ghat on their weekly day off.
Where and when did the Narmada drowning incident occur?
The incident occurred on Sunday, 25 May, at Semalda Narmada Ghat in Manawar tehsil of Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, around 5 pm. The bodies were recovered the following morning after a 15-hour rescue operation.
What caused the two youths to drown?
While bathing, Pooran and Dinesh drifted into a section of the river approximately 15 to 20 feet deep and were caught in a strong undercurrent. Companions and local boatmen attempted a rescue but could not overcome the current.
Was there a crocodile warning at the ghat before the incident?
Yes. Local villagers said a crocodile had been spotted at Semalda Ghat as early as 10 am on Sunday — several hours before the group arrived — and a warning video had reportedly gone viral on social media. According to officials, the four friends were unaware of the alert when they entered the water.
How long did the rescue operation last and who conducted it?
The rescue operation lasted approximately 15 hours. Manawar police and district administration officials, assisted by local villagers and boatmen, conducted the search. It was suspended overnight due to darkness and resumed Monday morning, when divers recovered both bodies in the presence of the victims' families.
