Bahraich Boat Tragedy: 24 Missing After Boat Capsizes in Kaudiyala River, CM Yogi Orders Urgent Rescue Operation

A tragic boat accident in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh has left 24 people missing after a passenger boat capsized in the Kaudiyala River on Wednesday evening. The incident occurred near Bharathpur village in the Sujauli area, close to the India-Nepal border. A large-scale rescue operation has been launched, and teams from the SDRF and NDRF have been called in to assist local authorities in the search.

🚨 The Tragic Incident

According to initial reports, around 28 villagers from Bharathpur boarded a boat to attend a local event in Khairtiya village across the river. While returning, the boat lost balance due to the strong water currents and overturned midstream.
Local residents immediately rushed to help and managed to rescue four people safely, but 24 others are still unaccounted for.

Eyewitnesses said that the river’s water level had risen significantly in recent days due to the opening of gates at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Ghaaghra Barrage, leading to strong currents in both the Kaudiyala and Gerua rivers.

🛶 Panic and Immediate Response

Eyewitness Laxminarayan, one of the survivors, recounted that all passengers had boarded the same boat operated by Mihinlal, son of Puttilal, as walking along the riverbank would have taken much longer. The boat had nearly reached the shore when it was swept away by the powerful current and overturned.

Villagers nearby heard the cries for help and immediately jumped in to rescue whoever they could. The four survivors — Harimohan, Jyoti, Rani Devi, and Laxminarayan — were safely pulled from the water, but the rest remain missing.

As the news spread, local administration, police, and rescue teams rushed to the spot. Authorities have since closed the Ghaaghra Barrage gates to slow the water flow and aid search operations.

⚠️ CM Yogi Adityanath Orders Relief and Rescue

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep concern over the incident and directed officials to conduct an immediate and coordinated rescue mission. He instructed the district administration, police, and disaster response forces (SDRF & NDRF) to reach the site without delay and ensure that all possible measures are taken to locate the missing individuals.

The Chief Minister also asked senior officials to provide necessary assistance to the affected families and ensure smooth execution of relief operations.

🚁 Ongoing Search and Relief Operations

ADM Amit Kumar, SP Ramnayan Singh, and several administrative officers are on-site supervising the ongoing rescue efforts. District Magistrate Akshay Tripathi confirmed that the search for missing passengers is still underway, and the local administration is working around the clock.

Rescue divers and local volunteers are combing the river area, while officials have temporarily restricted water flow to improve visibility and safety during operations.

🕯️ Background and Local Concerns

The tragic accident comes just days after the closure period for the Ghaaghra Barrage ended, following which the gates were opened, increasing the river’s water velocity. Residents say they had previously requested authorities to regulate river crossings more strictly during high flow periods, as such accidents have occurred before.

As search operations continue late into the night, families of the missing villagers wait anxiously along the riverbank, hoping for positive news.

This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as official information becomes available.