Caught on camera: YouTuber swept away while filming reels at waterfall in Odisha

A 22-year-old YouTuber from Berhampur, identified as Sagar Tudu, went missing on Saturday after being swept away by a strong current at the Duduma waterfall in Odisha’s Koraput district.

According to reports, Sagar had travelled to Koraput along with his friend Abhijit Behera from Cuttack to shoot videos of prominent tourist spots for his YouTube channel. The incident occurred in the afternoon while Sagar was recording reels using a drone camera at the waterfall.

Authorities of the Machakunda dam had released approximately 2,000 cusecs of water due to heavy rainfall in the Lamtaput area, following an alert issued to residents downstream. The sudden surge in water flow left Sagar stranded on a rock midstream.

Despite frantic rescue attempts by locals and tourists at the site, the youth was swept away by the gushing waters. On receiving information, personnel from the Machkunda police station and the Fire Services Department rushed to the scene and launched a search operation.

“The ODRAF and fire team have been deployed there for the rescue operation. The youth was from Berhampur and he was here for tour. The incident took place yesterday, and we have also informed the family members,” said the Superintendent of Police, Koraput.

As of the latest updates, Sagar remains untraced and search operations are ongoing.

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