Narmada River sweeps away father and son at Jabalpur ghat, search on
Synopsis
A father's instinct to save his drowning son cost both their lives in the Narmada at Jabalpur's Bhadpura Ghat. Ganesh Patil and 10-year-old Lucky, part of a Maharashtra family visiting a local ashram, were swept into deep water within seconds. SDRF teams searched for hours before darkness and the current forced a suspension — with no trace of either found.
Key Takeaways
Ganesh Patil , 34, and his son Lucky Patil , 10, were swept away in the Narmada River at Bhadpura Ghat , Jabalpur , on Wednesday at approximately 6 pm .
The family, from Maharashtra , had arrived at Bhadpura Ashram on Tuesday as part of a group of 15 members from three families .
Lucky slipped into the river while playing; his father jumped in to rescue him and was also carried away by the current.
Local divers and an SDRF team conducted a search but could not locate the duo.
The search was temporarily suspended due to strong current and darkness and will resume when conditions improve.
A 34-year-old farmer and his 10-year-old son from Maharashtra were swept away by the strong current of the Narmada River while at Bhadpura Ghat in Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday evening, according to police. The incident has triggered a search-and-rescue operation that was temporarily suspended after darkness and the river's current hampered efforts.
How the incident unfolded
The incident occurred at approximately 6 pm near Bhadpura Ashram when the boy, identified as Lucky Patil, slipped and fell into deep water while playing near the river's edge. His father, Ganesh Patil, immediately jumped in to save him, but the river's powerful current carried both into deeper waters before either could be reached.
Bystanders raised an alarm and attempted a rescue, but the depth of the water and the force of the current made it impossible to reach the duo.
What police said
Sarojini Choukse, in-charge of Chargawan police station, said: 'Ganesh Patil, a farmer from Maharashtra, had come to Bhadpura Ashram along with around 15 members of three families on Tuesday. On Wednesday evening, some children were playing near the Narmada when Lucky slipped and fell into the river. His father jumped in to save him, but the current swept away both.'
The family had travelled from Maharashtra specifically to visit the ashram, arriving in the area on Tuesday, police added.
Rescue operation and suspension
Police and local administration teams reached the ghat promptly after receiving information and launched a search operation with the assistance of local divers. A State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team subsequently joined the effort and searched the river for a considerable period, but could not locate the missing father and son.
The search was ultimately suspended temporarily due to the combination of the strong current and failing light. A large crowd gathered at the ghat, while police and administration officials remained on-site to coordinate efforts.
What happens next
Officials confirmed the search for Ganesh Patil and Lucky Patil will resume once conditions permit. The Narmada, which runs through Jabalpur at elevated levels during the monsoon season, has seen multiple such incidents in recent years, with swift currents posing serious risks at popular ghats. Authorities have not yet issued a formal statement on the family's next of kin or any advisory for visitors to the ghat.
Point of View
Particularly in the evening hours when visibility drops. The temporary suspension of the SDRF search within hours raises questions about resource availability for night operations on a river as wide and swift as the Narmada at Jabalpur. Authorities have repeatedly warned against bathing at unguarded ghats during the monsoon, yet signage, barriers, and on-site supervision remain inconsistent. Until structural safeguards are mandated at high-footfall religious ghats, incidents like this will recur every monsoon season.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the father and son swept away in the Narmada River at Jabalpur?
The two missing persons are Ganesh Patil , a 34-year-old farmer, and his 10-year-old son Lucky Patil , both from Maharashtra. They were visiting Bhadpura Ashram in Jabalpur when the incident occurred on Wednesday evening.
How did the Narmada River accident at Bhadpura Ghat happen?
Lucky Patil slipped and fell into deep water while playing near the river's edge at around 6 pm. His father Ganesh jumped in to save him, but the strong current swept both of them into deeper waters before bystanders or rescue teams could reach them.
What is the current status of the rescue operation?
The SDRF and local divers conducted an extensive search but could not locate the father or son. The operation was temporarily suspended due to darkness and the strong current, and is expected to resume once conditions improve.
Why was the search called off so quickly?
According to police, the combination of the Narmada's powerful current and the onset of darkness made it unsafe and ineffective to continue the search on Wednesday night. Officials confirmed the operation will resume when conditions permit.
Were there any warnings or restrictions at Bhadpura Ghat?
The source does not specify any formal warnings or barriers at the ghat at the time of the incident. Authorities have not issued a post-incident advisory as yet, according to available information.
