Omkareshwar canal drowning: 3 labourers' bodies recovered after 2-day search
Synopsis
Three migrant labourers working on the Omkareshwar-Mortakka four-lane road project drowned in the Omkareshwar Dam canal after one apparently ventured into deep water and the other two entered to rescue him. Their bodies were recovered up to 300 metres downstream after a two-day search — a grim reminder of the safety void around water bodies at infrastructure worksites.
Key Takeaways
Three labourers — Sunil Sahu (20) , Aniket Yadav (approx.
25) , and Bhagwan Das (20) — drowned in the Omkareshwar Dam main canal on 10 June .
All three were employed on the Omkareshwar-Mortakka four-lane road project in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh .
The incident occurred near Kothi village , about 4 km before Omkareshwar, when the men went for a bath after work.
Bodies were recovered 200–300 metres downstream after a two-day search involving local divers.
Preliminary findings suggest one man entered deep water and the other two drowned attempting to rescue him, according to police.
Further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events.
The bodies of three labourers employed on the Omkareshwar-Mortakka four-lane road project were recovered from the main canal of Omkareshwar Dam in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh, on Thursday, 11 June, following an intensive two-day search operation, police confirmed. The men had reportedly gone for a bath in the canal on Wednesday evening and never returned.
How the Incident Unfolded
The tragedy occurred near Kothi village, approximately four kilometres before Omkareshwar. According to police, Ramcharan, a dumper driver with the construction company, informed authorities on 10 June that he had seen the three men — Sunil Sahu, Bhagwan Das, and Aniket Yadav — bathing in the canal. When the labourers failed to return to their work camp, co-workers searched the area and discovered their clothes and slippers left on the canal bank.
A missing persons report was registered, and a search operation was launched with the assistance of local divers. The first day's efforts continued until sunset but yielded no results.
Bodies Recovered Over Two Days
The search resumed on Thursday morning. Omkareshwar Police Station SHO A.K. Sindhiya confirmed that the bodies of Sunil Sahu (20), a resident of Sidhi district, and Aniket Yadav (approximately 25), from Gopalganj district, Bihar, were found about 200 metres downstream from the point where they had entered the water. Both bodies were sent for post-mortem examination.
Later the same evening, search teams recovered the body of the third labourer, Bhagwan Das (20), from nearly 300 metres downstream. After completion of legal formalities, all three bodies were handed over to the respective families.
Preliminary Findings
Preliminary investigation suggests that one of the three men may have ventured into deep water while bathing, and the other two apparently entered the canal in an attempt to rescue him — leading to all three drowning, according to police. This pattern of bystander drowning during rescue attempts is a recurring factor in canal fatalities across central India, particularly during summer months when migrant labourers seek relief from heat near water bodies.
Investigation Continues
SHO Sindhiya said further investigation is underway to establish the exact sequence of events. The canal, part of the Omkareshwar Dam system on the Narmada river, is known to have deceptively strong undercurrents that pose serious risk to unsuspecting bathers. All three victims were migrant workers engaged in infrastructure construction in the region.
Authorities are expected to review safety advisories for labourers working near water bodies in the project zone as the investigation proceeds.
Point of View
Working far from home in summer heat, bathe in nearby canals or rivers with no safety barriers, no warning signage, and no supervision. The Omkareshwar Dam canal's strong undercurrents are not a secret — yet no safeguard existed to prevent access. The construction company and local administration owe an accounting of what, if any, safety protocols were in place for workers near the water. Without that accountability, the next such incident is a matter of when, not if.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the three labourers who drowned in the Omkareshwar canal?
The three labourers were Sunil Sahu (20), a resident of Sidhi district in Madhya Pradesh; Aniket Yadav (approximately 25), from Gopalganj district in Bihar; and Bhagwan Das (20). All three were employed on the Omkareshwar-Mortakka four-lane road project.
Where and when did the Omkareshwar canal drowning occur?
The drowning occurred on the evening of 10 June near Kothi village, about four kilometres before Omkareshwar in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh. The men had gone to bathe in the main canal of the Omkareshwar Dam and did not return.
How were the bodies recovered?
A two-day search operation involving local divers was launched after co-workers found the men's clothes and slippers on the canal bank. Two bodies were recovered on Thursday morning approximately 200 metres downstream, and the third was found later that evening about 300 metres downstream.
What caused the three men to drown?
According to preliminary police findings, one of the labourers may have ventured into deep water while bathing, and the other two apparently entered the canal in an attempt to rescue him, resulting in all three drowning. Police are continuing their investigation to confirm the exact sequence of events.
What happens next in the investigation?
Police have completed legal formalities and handed the bodies over to the families. Further investigation is underway to establish the precise sequence of events. Authorities are expected to review safety advisories for labourers working near water bodies in the project zone.
