Police Continue Search for YouTuber Swept Away by Odisha Waterfall

Sagar Kundu, a 22-year-old YouTuber from Berhampur, India, was swept away by the powerful currents of the Duduma Waterfall in Odisha while filming drone footage, despite repeated warnings from friends. The incident occurred after a sudden surge in water levels caused by a release from the nearby Machkund Dam following heavy rainfall, which rapidly raised the river's flow. Videos show Kundu standing on a rock in the middle of the stream before losing his footing and being carried away, with rescue attempts by onlookers failing. Authorities, including police, fire crews, and the State Disaster Response Force, launched a challenging search operation hampered by rugged terrain and continuous rain, recovering only Kundu's bag containing camera equipment. The waterfall, a popular tourist site about 500 feet high, has been closed to the public pending investigation, highlighting concerns about safety measures at such dangerous locations. Officials have requested dam authorities to close gates temporarily to lower water levels and aid the ongoing search efforts.