Boat capsized in the overflowing Ganga River, Authorities seek army helicopter to trace missing people

Bijnor, August 27: Search operation is still underway a day after a boat carrying 27 people capsized in the overflowing Ganga River in the Bijnor district. The boat carrying 11 men and 16 women has still gone missing while two bodies were fished out from the Ganga while eight others are still missing.

 

Police said all missing people are feared dead as so far there were no reports of anyone being saved in villages along the river in Bijnor, about 400 km from the state capital. Relief commissioner Sanjay Kumar said several teams of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) Flood Company and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were continuing the search operation and rescue work. He said the officials were also searching for the missing people on an Indian Air Force helicopter.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the loss of life in the boat capsize tragedy. He has directed the district magistrate to make available a financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh to the family members of the deceased within 24 hours, the Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement.

Several teams of PAC’s flood company and NDRF are continuing the search operation and rescue work. The rescuers are having a hard time due to bad weather conditions and strong river c current. A team comprising of health department, police and district administration is also camping in the area to aid the rescue work.