What Happened at the Check Dam in Jharkhand’s Seraikela?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Four youths tragically drowned in a Jharkhand check dam.
- Lack of safety measures contributed to the incident.
- Over 40 drowning deaths reported in the past three months in the state.
- Community calls for urgent safety improvements at public water sites.
- Authorities are urged to take actionable steps to prevent further tragedies.
Seraikela (Jharkhand), July 26 (NationPress) – In a heartbreaking incident, four young individuals tragically drowned while swimming in a check dam located in Dalaikala village, part of Jharkhand’s Seraikela-Kharsawan district on Saturday, as reported by officials.
The deceased have been named as Gaurav Mandal, Harivas Das, Sunil Sahu, and Manoj Sahu, all hailing from the same village.
As per local accounts, six young men went to the check dam for a swim around midday. While two chose to remain on the bank, four others entered the water. Eyewitnesses recounted that as soon as they waded into the deeper areas, their heads struck sharp stones hidden beneath the surface, leading to their loss of consciousness.
With the absence of safety ropes or barriers, the unconscious youths began to drown. The two remaining on the shore raised an alarm, attracting villagers to the scene. Despite urgent rescue efforts and the arrival of local authorities and police, the young men could not be rescued.
The bodies were eventually retrieved and sent for autopsy. This incident has left the entire Dalaikala village in mourning.
The check dam, similar to many others throughout Jharkhand, is devoid of essential safety measures. There are no warning signs, lifeguards, or fencing around the structure.
This event marks the latest in a series of tragic drownings within the state. On June 8, two engineering students from RVS College in Jamshedpur also drowned while swimming in the Kharkai River.
Over the past three months, more than 40 individuals have lost their lives in Jharkhand due to drownings in check dams, reservoirs, waterfalls, and ponds—primarily during outings or while attempting to swim in perilous waters.
Officials have stated that efforts are underway to identify hazardous water bodies and implement safety measures. Nevertheless, local residents remain doubtful, recalling that similar assurances were made following past incidents, yet no actions were taken.