What Happened to the Three Missing Youths in Panna Waterfall?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Three youths are missing after being swept away in Brihaspati Kund.
- Search operations are currently underway involving multiple agencies.
- Local villagers are assisting in the search efforts.
- Brihaspati Kund has a history of drownings, raising safety concerns.
- The site lacks necessary safety infrastructure.
Panna, June 30 (NationPress) Three young men were swept away by a powerful current at Susi Jalprapat, also recognized as Brihaspati Kund, a natural water body situated in the Brijpur police station area of Panna district, Madhya Pradesh.
The tragic event occurred along the Panna-Pahadikhera road on Sunday when three friends—one hailing from Satna and the other two from Panna—decided to take a dip in the water and were unexpectedly caught in a strong surge.
“Search efforts are ongoing, but we have yet to find any sign of them,” stated Mahendra Singh Bhadauria, the investigating officer and head of the Brijpur police station, during an interview with IANS.
“The missing individuals have been identified as Twarit Choudhary, Krishna Sharma, and Abhishek Berman. They are all between the ages of 18 and 20,” the officer added.
A collaborative rescue mission was initiated by teams from Brijpur police station in Panna district and Baraundha police station from neighboring Satna district. Divers and personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were also dispatched to aid in the search. However, due to poor visibility and safety risks after dark, operations had to be halted on Sunday evening.
The search resumed early Monday, with teams diligently combing through the kund and nearby areas.
As of the most recent update, the youths remain unaccounted for. Local villagers have also joined the search efforts, providing logistical assistance and valuable knowledge about the terrain.
This incident is not the first at Brihaspati Kund, which has seen multiple drownings in recent years, including the tragic death of a medical student from Kanpur in 2024 who leaped in to save a friend.
Despite being a favored tourist destination, the site suffers from a lack of adequate safety measures such as warning signage, lifeguards, or barricades, raising significant concerns regarding visitor safety.
The officer dismissed claims that the incident took place on Saturday afternoon, asserting, “Police responded swiftly. The State Disaster Response Force is actively searching for them.”
Brihaspati Kund, or Susi Jalprapat, is a waterfall and natural crater located near the historic Kalinjar Fort in Panna district. It is well-known for its stunning scenery and religious significance, with legends attributing its creation to Dev Guru Brihaspati.