Search teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Army pressed on Saturday with the hunt for four missing persons following the Bargi Dam cruise boat accident in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur district, even as strong winds and rising waves repeatedly disrupted operations. The multi-agency effort, launched in the aftermath of the tragedy involving a 15-member family group, has so far recovered the bodies of two women, while four individuals — including Kamaraj Arya, an employee of the Ordnance Factory Khamaria — remain unaccounted for.

Search Operation: Key Developments

Officials confirmed the rescue operation resumed at approximately 6:00 am on Saturday, 3 May 2025, with divers and boats deployed across an expanded search zone in the Bargi reservoir. SDOP Lokesh Dawar, overseeing ground operations, stated that all agencies are working in close coordination. "The rescue operation resumed around 6:00 am today. NDRF, SDRF, and Army teams are continuously carrying out the search operation. The diving team has also been actively involved since morning. So far, no information has been received about additional survivors or recovered bodies," Dawar stated.

Adverse weather conditions, however, have forced intermittent halts throughout the day. SDOP Anjul Ayank Mishra explained the operational constraints: "The search is being conducted in phases as the weather remains unstable. Strong winds and the use of smaller boats make continuous operation risky, so brief pauses are necessary to ensure the safety of teams."

Submerged Boat Retrieved and Dismantled

On Friday evening, authorities retrieved the submerged cruise boat from the dam using heavy machinery, after underwater divers conducted extensive searches inside the vessel. When no missing individuals were found within the hull, the boat was lifted and subsequently dismantled on-site using a JCB excavator to allow a thorough inspection of all compartments. The move underscored the scale of effort being deployed to leave no possibility unexplored.

Senior officials — including Principal Secretary of the Tourism Department Ilaiyaraaja T., the Jabalpur Collector, and the Superintendent of Police — remained present throughout the operation, monitoring coordination between rescue agencies and administrative teams.

Bodies of Two Victims to Be Airlifted to Tamil Nadu

The district administration has initiated arrangements to transport the remains of the two recovered victims to Tamil Nadu. The bodies of Kakulazhi (38) and Soubhagyam Alagan (42) — both women — will be airlifted to Trichy via Coimbatore, following coordination with their bereaved families. The logistical arrangements reflect the inter-state dimension of the tragedy, with the victims hailing from Tamil Nadu.

Who Was on the Boat

The accident involved 15 members of a single family who were on a recreational outing at the Bargi Dam when the cruise boat met with an accident. Among those on board was Kamaraj Arya, an employee of the Ordnance Factory Khamaria in Jabalpur, along with his wife, children, and relatives. In a rare moment of relief amid the tragedy, his 10-year-old son survived after being swept ashore and rescued by personnel present at the site. Kamaraj Arya and two other family members remain missing as search operations continue.

What Comes Next

Search teams are expected to continue operations into the coming days, with the expanded search area in the reservoir being combed systematically despite adverse weather. Authorities have not ruled out further expansion of the search zone if conditions improve. The incident has also prompted questions about safety protocols governing cruise boat operations at the Bargi Dam, a popular tourist destination in Madhya Pradesh. A comprehensive review of safety norms at such sites is likely to follow once the immediate rescue phase concludes.