Jharkhand floods: 2 dead, woman missing after Kuili river sweeps away 3 in Saranda
Synopsis
Three villagers returning from a funeral in Jharkhand's Saranda were swept away by the suddenly swollen Kuili hill river on Sunday evening. Two bodies have been recovered; a woman, Sunita Sidhu, remains missing. The tragedy has left one man, Roya Sidhu, without both parents — lost in the same incident.
Key Takeaways
The Kuili hill river in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand swept away three villagers on Sunday, 31 August at around 6 pm .
Two bodies have been recovered: an unidentified woman (mother of Roya Sidhu ) and Bosen Sidhu .
Sunita Sidhu , wife of Bamiya Sidhu , remains missing; search operations are ongoing.
The victims were returning from a funeral in Bahda village under Chotanagra Police Station limits.
Persistent rainfall has kept the river in spate, hampering rescue efforts.
Roya Sidhu lost both parents in the same incident.
Two villagers are dead and a woman remains missing after the Kuili hill river in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district swelled suddenly on Sunday evening, sweeping away three residents of Bahda village in the Saranda region. Officials confirmed the fatalities on Monday, 1 September, as search operations continued along the river's course.
What Happened
The three villagers were returning home after attending a funeral in Bahda village when the Kuili river rose abruptly at around 6 pm on Sunday due to incessant rainfall in the area. The force of the current swept all three into the swollen river before they could reach safety.
The incident falls under the jurisdiction of Chotanagra Police Station in West Singhbhum district. Local residents launched a search operation almost immediately after the alarm was raised.
Bodies Recovered, One Still Missing
Late on Sunday night, the body of a woman — identified as the mother of villager Roya Sidhu — was found trapped in bushes roughly 500 metres downstream from the point where the three were swept away. A police team led by Chotanagra Police Station in-charge Gautam Kumar subsequently joined the search effort.
During a joint operation on Monday morning, the body of Bosen Sidhu was recovered from the river. The woman still missing has been identified as Sunita Sidhu, wife of Bamiya Sidhu. Search teams are combing riverbanks, nearby bushes, and downstream areas where the current may have carried her.
Rescue Conditions Remain Difficult
Officials said persistent rainfall has kept the Kuili river in spate, making rescue operations hazardous due to the strong current. Police are also searching downstream stretches, given the force of the flow at the time of the incident.
Notably, the Saranda forest belt — one of the densest sal forests in Asia — is prone to flash flooding during the monsoon, when hill rivers can rise with little warning. This incident underscores the recurring danger faced by villagers crossing water bodies during the rainy season in the region.
A Family's Double Tragedy
The accident has left Roya Sidhu bereaved on two counts — having lost both parents in the same incident. The community in Bahda village is in mourning, with the tragedy striking just hours after the family had gathered to pay last respects at a funeral. A pall of grief has descended over the village as the search for Sunita Sidhu enters its second day.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether additional disaster response teams will be deployed. The search is expected to continue as long as the river remains in spate.
Point of View
With three people crossing it after a funeral: a scenario that repeats itself across tribal belts every monsoon. West Singhbhum's dense forest cover makes real-time river monitoring difficult, but that difficulty has never been matched with proportionate investment. The human cost — one man losing both parents in a single evening — demands more than a seasonal search operation.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Kuili river incident in Jharkhand?
Three villagers from Bahda village in West Singhbhum district were swept away by the swollen Kuili hill river on Sunday evening, 31 August, while returning home from a funeral. Two bodies have since been recovered and one woman, Sunita Sidhu, remains missing.
Who are the victims of the Jharkhand river tragedy?
The deceased include the mother of villager Roya Sidhu and Bosen Sidhu, both of whose bodies were recovered. Sunita Sidhu, wife of Bamiya Sidhu, is still missing and being searched for along the river's downstream course.
Where did the Jharkhand river flooding incident occur?
The incident occurred at Bahda village under Chotanagra Police Station in West Singhbhum district, in the Saranda forest region of Jharkhand.
Why are rescue operations difficult in the area?
Persistent and incessant rainfall has kept the Kuili hill river in spate, with a strong current that is hampering search and rescue efforts. Teams are combing riverbanks, bushes, and downstream areas but conditions remain challenging.
Is the Saranda region prone to such flooding?
Yes, the Saranda belt — a dense forest area in West Singhbhum — is vulnerable to flash flooding during the monsoon season, as hill rivers can rise rapidly with little warning, posing serious risk to villagers crossing water bodies.
