Two MBBS students drown at Tigra Dam, Gwalior; body recovered after 17-hour search
Synopsis
Two medical students on a weekend picnic slipped into a 40–50-foot-deep restricted section of Tigra Dam in Gwalior and drowned. What followed was a 17-hour overnight rescue operation by SDRF and divers — a grim reminder of how quickly a prohibited zone visit turns fatal.
Key Takeaways
Ayush Srivastava (Muzaffarpur, Bihar) and Gopal Agarwal (Bina, Sagar district, MP), both second-year MBBS students at Gajara Raja Medical College , drowned at Tigra Dam , Gwalior on 14 June .
The two entered the 'Kachchi Paar' restricted zone, about 3 km from the boat club, where public access is prohibited.
They slipped on rocks and fell into water estimated at 40–50 feet deep.
SDRF teams and local divers conducted a night-long operation; Gopal's body was recovered Saturday night, Ayush's on Sunday afternoon after 17 hours .
Both bodies have been sent for post-mortem; police investigation is ongoing.
Two second-year MBBS students of Gajara Raja Medical College drowned in the deep waters of Tigra Dam in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday evening, 14 June, while on a picnic with friends. The body of the second victim was recovered on Sunday afternoon after a gruelling 17-hour rescue operation involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local divers.
Who the victims were
The deceased were identified as Ayush Srivastava, a resident of Muzaffarpur in Bihar, and Gopal Agarwal, a resident of Bina in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh. Both were enrolled in the second year of the MBBS programme at Gajara Raja Medical College.
How the incident unfolded
A group of eight medical students — four men and four women — had visited the dam for a picnic. Ayush and Gopal entered the water in the 'Kachchi Paar' area, a restricted zone located approximately three kilometres from the boat club where public access is prohibited. According to police, the two slipped on rocks and fell into a section of water estimated to be 40–50 feet deep.
Their companions grew alarmed when the two did not return. A search of the rocky bank revealed the students' shoes and clothes placed neatly nearby, prompting the group to alert police immediately.
The rescue operation
Tigra police, led by CSP Krishnapal Singh and Station House Officer Shivram Singh Kanshana, reached the spot without delay. SDRF personnel and local divers were deployed, operating through the night with boats and high-powered lights. The rescue was hampered by the dam's considerable depth, muddy bed, and rocky terrain. Gopal Agarwal's body was recovered late on Saturday night. The search for Ayush Srivastava continued for roughly 17 hours before his body was found on Sunday afternoon.
What authorities confirmed
Police officials confirmed that both students had entered the restricted 'Kachchi Paar' zone in violation of prohibitions on public access. The families of both victims have been informed. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination and further investigation is underway.
A pattern of preventable tragedies
The incident underscores a recurring concern at dam and reservoir sites across India, where restricted zones are frequently breached by visitors, often with fatal consequences. The presence of a group of eight students at a prohibited area raises questions about enforcement and awareness at Tigra Dam, a popular recreational destination near Gwalior. Authorities have not yet indicated whether any action will be taken against those who accompanied the victims into the restricted zone.
Point of View
Yet a group of eight students accessed it without apparent obstruction. India's disaster response machinery performed creditably through the night, but the harder question is why the deterrence upstream failed. Until dam authorities and local police treat access control as a year-round priority rather than a post-tragedy talking point, these rescues will keep happening.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the two MBBS students who drowned at Tigra Dam?
The victims were Ayush Srivastava , from Muzaffarpur in Bihar, and Gopal Agarwal , from Bina in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh. Both were second-year MBBS students at Gajara Raja Medical College, Gwalior.
Where exactly did the drowning occur at Tigra Dam?
The incident took place in the 'Kachchi Paar' area of Tigra Dam, a restricted zone approximately three kilometres from the boat club where public entry is prohibited. The water depth at the spot is estimated at 40–50 feet.
How long did the rescue operation last?
The rescue operation lasted approximately 17 hours. Gopal Agarwal's body was recovered late on Saturday night, while Ayush Srivastava's body was found on Sunday afternoon after an overnight search by SDRF personnel and local divers.
What were the students doing at the dam?
A group of eight second-year MBBS students — four men and four women — had gone to Tigra Dam for a picnic on Saturday evening. Ayush and Gopal entered the water in the restricted zone and slipped on rocks, falling into the deep section of the dam.
What action is being taken after the drowning?
The bodies of both students have been sent for post-mortem examination. Police have confirmed that both victims entered the restricted 'Kachchi Paar' zone, and further investigation is underway. The families of the deceased have been informed.
