Two youths missing after flood sweeps them off bike in Bihar's Bhojpur
Synopsis
Three youths on a motorcycle tried to cross a flooded diversion on the Cher river in Bihar's Bhojpur district — only one made it out. Two brothers, aged 20 and 21, remain missing as SDRF teams deploy amid a strong current that has made the search operation exceptionally difficult.
Key Takeaways
Sachin Ravani, 21 , and Sandeep Ravani, 20 , of Shahpur Nagar Panchayat remain missing after being swept away on 1 September .
The incident occurred at the Cher river diversion on Shahpur-Banahi Road in Bhojpur district, Bihar .
A third youth was rescued by local residents; the missing pair and their motorcycle were carried downstream.
Police launched a search with local divers; the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been called in.
Strong currents have hampered the operation; teams are using large nets at multiple downstream locations.
Two youths remain missing after floodwaters swept three motorcyclists off a submerged diversion on the Cher river in Bihar's Bhojpur district on Tuesday, 1 September, officials said. The trio had been attempting to cross the flooded Shahpur-Banahi Road diversion when the current overpowered them, pulling all three — along with their motorcycle — downstream.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to officials, the three youths had travelled to Rudranagar village on a motorcycle. On their return journey, they encountered the Cher river diversion where floodwater was flowing across the road with considerable force. Despite the visible danger, they proceeded to cross.
When the motorcycle reached the middle of the water, the force of the current reportedly swept them off balance. Local residents who witnessed the incident immediately launched a rescue effort and managed to pull one youth to safety after considerable effort. The other two could not be reached in time.
The Missing Youths
The two missing youths have been identified as Sachin Ravani, 21, and Sandeep Ravani, 20, both residents of Shobhitola in Ward No. 1 of Shahpur Nagar Panchayat. Their motorcycle was also swept away by the floodwaters and has not been recovered.
Search Operation Under Way
Police reached the site after being informed and launched a search operation with the assistance of local divers. The administration has called in a team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), with a larger, coordinated search expected to begin once the team arrives at the location.
The strong current has significantly hampered rescue efforts. Search teams are deploying large nets at multiple points downstream from the incident site in an attempt to locate the missing youths.
Families Wait at the Site
The families of Sachin Ravani and Sandeep Ravani have gathered at the riverbank and are awaiting news. This incident is among several flood-related tragedies reported from Bihar this monsoon season, as swollen rivers and submerged diversions continue to pose lethal risks to commuters in low-lying districts.
The SDRF team's arrival is expected to expand the search perimeter significantly. Authorities have urged residents to avoid crossing flooded roads and diversions until water levels recede.
Point of View
No warnings, and no enforcement. The Cher river crossing on Shahpur-Banahi Road was apparently passable enough that three young men felt they could attempt it, which points to an infrastructure and signage failure as much as a lapse in individual judgement. Bihar's SDRF is stretched thin across multiple flood-affected districts every monsoon, and delayed deployment — as seen here — repeatedly costs lives. The real accountability question is why a flooded diversion on an active road had no physical barrier preventing vehicles from entering.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the two youths missing in the Bhojpur flood incident?
The two missing youths are Sachin Ravani, 21 , and Sandeep Ravani, 20 , residents of Shobhitola in Ward No. 1 of Shahpur Nagar Panchayat in Bihar's Bhojpur district. They were swept away on 1 September while attempting to cross the flooded Cher river diversion on a motorcycle.
What happened at the Cher river diversion in Bhojpur?
Three youths on a motorcycle attempted to cross a flooded diversion on the Cher river along Shahpur-Banahi Road. The force of the current swept all three and their motorcycle downstream. One was rescued by local residents; the other two remain missing.
What rescue efforts are under way?
Police launched an initial search with local divers, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed. Search teams are using large nets at several locations downstream. However, the strong current has made the operation difficult.
Why is the search operation taking long?
The strong floodwater current in the Cher river has significantly hampered rescue and recovery efforts. Officials are awaiting the SDRF team's arrival to expand the search perimeter and deploy more specialised equipment.
How can such flood diversion accidents be prevented?
Experts and disaster management officials generally recommend physical barricades, warning signs, and police deployment at flooded diversions during monsoon season. The absence of such measures at the Cher river diversion reportedly allowed the youths to attempt the crossing.
