Three drown in J&K: Two missing in Ganderbal canal, teen lost in Tawi River
Synopsis
A power canal in Ganderbal swallowed two people and the Tawi River claimed a selfie-taking teenager on the same Monday — the latest casualties in a troubling surge of drowning incidents sweeping Jammu & Kashmir as snowmelt swells rivers and canals to dangerous levels.
Key Takeaways
Three people drowned in two separate incidents across Jammu & Kashmir on 15 June .
Two persons went missing after falling into a power canal near Ramwari, Gund in Ganderbal district ; a large-scale SDRF and police search is underway.
A 15-year-old , Yudhvir Singh Chib of Kuljivini, Jammu , is feared dead after slipping into the Tawi River near Har Ki Pauri while taking a selfie.
Recent weeks have seen drowning fatalities in Rajouri , Shopian , Bandipora , and Pahalgam as well.
Authorities have issued advisories and bans on swimming in vulnerable streams and canals across the region.
Three people drowned in two separate incidents across Jammu & Kashmir on Monday, 15 June, with two persons going missing in a power canal in Ganderbal district and a 15-year-old student slipping into the Tawi River in Jammu, officials said. Rescue operations were launched at both sites, with search teams still combing the areas.
Ganderbal Canal Incident
Two persons fell into a power canal near the Ramwari area of Gund in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district, prompting authorities to mobilise a large-scale search and rescue operation. Police said information was received about the two individuals falling into the canal at Gund-21 near Ramwari, following which rescue teams were immediately dispatched.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and local volunteers from Gund and Ganderbal launched an extensive search along the canal and adjoining areas. Senior officials are monitoring the situation, and locals have joined the rescue efforts. The operation was continuing amid challenging conditions, officials said.
Teen Missing in Tawi River, Jammu
In a separate tragedy in Jammu, a 15-year-old student identified as Yudhvir Singh Chib, son of Puran Singh and a resident of the Kuljivini area, is feared dead after he slipped into the fast-flowing Tawi River near the Har Ki Pauri area. According to reports, Yudhvir had gone to the riverbank with friends when he reportedly lost balance while attempting to take a selfie and fell into the water.
His companions immediately raised an alarm, prompting teams of the SDRF, police personnel, and local volunteers to rush to the spot. Rescuers were combing the river stretch and adjoining areas, but the teenager remained untraced as of the latest reports. Authorities said efforts to retrieve the body were continuing.
A Troubling Pattern Across J&K
The two incidents are part of a deeply concerning spike in drowning fatalities across Jammu & Kashmir. Recent notable cases include a picnic at the Khorinar Waterfall in Rajouri district, where one person — identified as Mohd Marouf from Hariban — drowned and two others suffered hypothermia. In Shopian district, a man drowned in the Reshnagri Nallah.
A single weekend in Bandipora and Pahalgam saw multiple casualties: a teen named Obaid Shabbir drowned in the Surendra reservoir in Bandipora, while a 42-year-old man in Pahalgam was washed away in the Lidder drain after his son fell into the water.
Advisories and Warnings in Place
Authorities have repeatedly urged residents and tourists to exercise extreme caution near water bodies, particularly given fast-moving currents caused by rising temperatures and melting snow. District administrations have issued advisories and complete bans on bathing or swimming in several vulnerable streams and power canals across the region.
As search operations continue at both sites, the full toll from Monday's incidents is expected to be confirmed once rescue efforts conclude.
Point of View
Yet the death toll keeps rising. The Tawi River selfie tragedy is a reminder that digital distraction near hazardous water is a pattern the administration has not addressed with hard infrastructure: barriers, warning signs, and on-ground enforcement. The Ganderbal canal incident raises a separate question: if power canals are accessible enough for people to fall into, the fencing and access protocols around them need urgent audit. Advisories alone are not a safety policy.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Ganderbal power canal drowning incident?
Two persons fell into a power canal at Gund-21 near the Ramwari area in Ganderbal district on 15 June. Teams from the SDRF, J&K Police, and local volunteers launched a search operation that was continuing as of the latest reports.
Who is the teenager who drowned in the Tawi River in Jammu?
The teenager is identified as Yudhvir Singh Chib, a 15-year-old student and son of Puran Singh, a resident of the Kuljivini area of Jammu. He reportedly lost balance while attempting to take a selfie near the Har Ki Pauri area on the Tawi River.
Has his body been recovered?
As of the latest reports, Yudhvir Singh Chib remained untraced. SDRF teams, police, and local volunteers were combing the river stretch, and authorities said further details would be known once the operation concludes.
Why are drowning incidents rising in Jammu & Kashmir?
Officials attribute the spike to fast-moving water currents caused by rising temperatures and melting snow, which swell rivers, streams, and canals to dangerous levels. Incidents frequently occur during leisure outings or accidental slips near water bodies.
What precautions have authorities issued for J&K residents and tourists?
District administrations across J&K have issued repeated advisories urging extreme caution near water bodies and have imposed complete bans on bathing or swimming in several vulnerable streams and power canals. Residents and tourists are advised to stay away from riverbanks, especially during the snowmelt season.
