Patna, May 29 (IANS) A major tragedy struck Bihar’s Gopalganj district on Friday after three teenage girls went missing in the strong currents of the Gandak River while crossing it by boat.

The incident occurred near Dumariya Ghat under the jurisdiction of Mohammadpur Police Station.

The girls were travelling by boat along with their mother and several villagers to attend to agricultural work on the opposite bank of the river.

While returning, the weather suddenly deteriorated and the Gandak River witnessed strong currents amid heavy rainfall.

During the crossing, the three girls allegedly slipped from the boat and were swept away by the surging river waters.

The incident triggered panic and chaos in the area. People present at the spot immediately raised an alarm, following which villagers from nearby areas rushed to the riverbank and began searching for the missing girls on their own.

However, the strong currents and continuous rain severely hampered their efforts.

Upon receiving information about the incident, SHO Chandan Kumar reached the site with a police team and initiated an investigation.

Taking the matter seriously, the district administration immediately deployed teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to the scene.

Rescue personnel are conducting extensive search operations in the river using motorboats and other rescue equipment.

However, officials said that heavy rainfall and the powerful flow of the Gandak River are posing major challenges to the ongoing rescue operation.

The incident has left the families of the missing girls devastated, while an atmosphere of grief and anxiety prevails across the village.

A large number of local residents have gathered along the riverbank, anxiously awaiting updates from the rescue teams.

Commenting on the incident, Rajesh Kumar, Sadar SDPO-2 of Gopalganj, said: “A group of villagers from Tandaspur village near Dumariya Ghat under Mohammadpur Police Station were crossing the Gandak River with their livestock. Due to bad weather and strong currents in the river, it is feared that three girls drowned during the crossing. SDRF teams were immediately dispatched after receiving information, and search operations are currently underway.”

He further said that legal procedures would be initiated once the bodies are recovered.

At present, the administration and rescue agencies remain fully focused on the ongoing search operation in the Gandak River.

The tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom across the region, with residents praying for a positive outcome regarding the missing girls.

–IANS

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