Tragedy struck at the Delhi-Noida frontier as a man named Vikas vanished into the Yamuna’s depths during a vibrant Saraswati idol immersion event. The mishap unfolded on Saturday, just a day post Basant Panchami, turning a festive occasion into a desperate rescue mission.
Participating in the pedestrian procession, Vikas reportedly slipped on the wet embankment around 8 PM, carried off by the river’s relentless flow. Onlookers raised immediate alarms, notifying police who mobilized teams on site.
A multi-agency response kicked off promptly: NDRF, Delhi Police, Fire Department, and UP SDRF converged at the Delhi Boat Club stretch. Harish Kumar, the club’s overseer, shared updates, revealing that night operations halted at 12:30 AM and recommenced at 6:30 AM with specialized divers probing the murky waters.
District Magistrate Amol Srivastava of East Delhi provided key insights, confirming the alert reached UP Police shortly after the fall. ‘Administrative teams and NDRF were deployed by 8:30 PM,’ he stated, highlighting the coordinated blitz.
Speaking to media, Vikas’s sibling described the group’s arrival at 7 PM for the ritual. ‘We do immersions on foot every year. His foot gave way mid-process,’ he said, voice heavy with worry. Witnesses echoed concerns over the river’s swift currents, complicating recovery.
With no breakthroughs yet, rescuers persist amid challenging conditions. The administration has issued stern warnings against unsupervised immersions near waterways, advocating safety gear and barricades. This incident underscores recurring risks during religious immersions, prompting calls for stricter protocols to safeguard lives.