Three teenage girls are missing after being swept away by the strong currents of the Gandak River in Gopalganj district, Bihar, on Friday, 29 May, when their boat was caught in a sudden storm near Dumariya Ghat under Mohammadpur Police Station. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed and are conducting search operations using motorboats, though heavy rainfall and powerful river currents are severely hampering rescue efforts.

How the Incident Unfolded

The girls were part of a group of villagers from Tandaspur village who had crossed the Gandak by boat to attend to agricultural work on the opposite bank. During the return crossing, the weather deteriorated sharply, bringing heavy rainfall and a sudden surge in the river's current. The three girls allegedly slipped from the boat and were swept away by the swelling waters. Their mother and other villagers on board were not reported missing.

Villagers at the scene immediately raised an alarm, and residents from nearby areas rushed to the riverbank to begin an informal search. However, the relentless rain and the river's powerful flow made independent rescue attempts largely ineffective.

Administration and Rescue Response

SHO Chandan Kumar reached Dumariya Ghat with a police team shortly after receiving information and initiated an investigation. The district administration moved swiftly, deploying both SDRF and NDRF units to the site. Rescue personnel are using motorboats and specialised equipment to comb the river.

Sadar SDPO-2 of Gopalganj, Rajesh Kumar, confirmed the incident, saying: 'A group of villagers from Tandaspur village near Dumariya Ghat under Mohammadpur Police Station were crossing the Gandak River with their livestock. Due to bad weather and strong currents in the river, it is feared that three girls drowned during the crossing. SDRF teams were immediately dispatched after receiving information, and search operations are currently underway.' He added that legal procedures would be initiated once the bodies are recovered.

Challenges Facing Rescue Teams

Officials have acknowledged that the ongoing heavy rainfall and the Gandak's powerful flow are posing significant obstacles to the search operation. The Gandak, which originates in Nepal and flows through northern Bihar, is known for its unpredictable and forceful currents during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons — conditions that routinely complicate river rescue operations in the region.

This incident is among several river-related tragedies reported in Bihar during the early monsoon weeks, when river levels rise rapidly and crossings become hazardous. The state's dependence on boat transport for agricultural communities along flood-prone rivers continues to place rural residents at risk each year.

Grief and Anxiety in the Village

The incident has left the families of the three missing girls devastated. A large number of local residents have gathered along the riverbank, anxiously awaiting word from rescue teams. An atmosphere of grief and deep anxiety reportedly prevails across the village as the search continues.

The administration and rescue agencies remain fully focused on the operation; officials have not yet confirmed any recovery as of the time of reporting.