Two friends missing in Narmada River in MP's Dhar after swimming trip
Synopsis
Four friends from Rajasthan on a Sunday holiday outing in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district — two are now missing after drifting into 15-20 feet of Narmada River water near Semalda village. Divers and boatmen are searching; both missing men were Site In-charges at a local cement company.
Key Takeaways
Pooran and Dinesh went missing in the Narmada River near Semalda village , Dhar district , Madhya Pradesh , on Sunday evening .
Manoj Yadav and Naveen Yogi were successfully rescued by local villagers and boatmen.
All four were from Kotputli, Rajasthan , and employed at a cement company near Manawar .
The youths drifted into waters approximately 15 to 20 feet deep around 5:00 pm .
A joint rescue operation by Manawar police , administration, divers, and villagers was ongoing as of 7:30 pm .
Two of four friends who ventured into the Narmada River for a swim went missing in deep waters near Semalda village in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday evening, while the remaining two were pulled to safety by quick-acting villagers and boatmen. A joint rescue operation involving police, divers, and local boatmen continued well into the evening in search of the missing youths.
Who Is Missing and Who Was Rescued
According to police officials, Pooran (son of Phoolchand Yadav, aged 40) and Dinesh (son of Devkaran Yadav, aged 34) remain unaccounted for. Their two companions, Manoj Yadav and Naveen Yogi, were successfully rescued from the river. Survivor Naveen Yogi stated that both missing youths held the position of Site In-charge at their employer company.
How the Incident Unfolded
All four friends are originally from Kotputli, Rajasthan, and were employed at a cement company located in the village of Tonki, near Manawar. Taking advantage of a Sunday holiday, they travelled from Manawar to Semalda to visit and bathe in the Narmada. Around 5:00 pm, the group entered the river; however, they inadvertently drifted into waters approximately 15 to 20 feet deep and began to struggle.
Local villagers and boatmen stationed along the riverbank responded immediately, pulling Manoj Yadav and Naveen Yogi to safety. Despite sustained efforts, no trace of Pooran and Dinesh could be found at the scene.
Rescue Operation in Progress
Upon receiving information about the incident, Manawar police and district administration teams rushed to the spot. As of approximately 7:30 pm, teams of divers and villagers were conducting an active search in the deep waters using boats. A large gathering of villagers and employees from the cement company assembled at the boat ghat as operations continued.
Background and Context
The Narmada River, one of India's most sacred and largest westward-flowing rivers, passes through several districts of Madhya Pradesh and is a popular destination for bathing, particularly on holidays. Incidents of drowning in its deeper stretches are periodically reported, especially among visitors unfamiliar with the river's varying depth and current. This comes amid recurring warnings from local authorities about the dangers of unsupervised swimming in the river's deeper sections. The search operation is ongoing, and further developments are awaited.
Point of View
Not casual labourers, pointing to a cross-section of workers who fall outside routine safety advisories. Madhya Pradesh has seen recurring drowning incidents on the Narmada, yet structured warning systems, lifeguard deployment, and depth-marking at informal bathing spots remain largely absent. The question of whether employer duty-of-care extends to workers' off-duty safety in such contexts deserves scrutiny.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who went missing in the Narmada River in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh?
Two men named Pooran and Dinesh went missing after drifting into deep waters of the Narmada River near Semalda village in Dhar district on Sunday evening. Both were residents of Kotputli, Rajasthan, and were employed as Site In-charges at a cement company near Manawar.
What happened to the other two friends?
Manoj Yadav and Naveen Yogi, the other two members of the group, were rescued by local villagers and boatmen who acted quickly upon seeing the youths struggling in the water. Both were pulled out safely before police and administration teams arrived.
Where exactly did the incident occur?
The incident occurred in the Narmada River near Semalda village in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. The four friends had travelled from Manawar to Semalda specifically to bathe in the river on their day off.
Is a rescue operation still ongoing?
Yes, as of around 7:30 pm on Sunday, a joint team of Manawar police, district administration, divers, and local villagers was conducting an active search using boats in the deep waters where Pooran and Dinesh were last seen.
Why were the four friends at the Narmada River?
All four were employed at a cement company in Tonki village near Manawar and were originally from Kotputli, Rajasthan. As Sunday was a holiday, they travelled to Semalda to visit and bathe in the Narmada River.
