From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, May 27: A youth from Assam on Sunday drowned while swimming with friends in the Umtrew river at Byrnihat, Ri-Bhoi.
The incident reportedly occurred between 5 pm and 6 pm and resulted in the death of one Ranjit Das, a resident of Japorigog village in Assam.
Sources reported that Das and his friends had gone to Umtrew River to beat the heatwave and enjoy a swim. However, the river’s water level suddenly rose.
While his friends managed to escape, Das was unable to make it to shore and drowned.
After the Byrnihat Police Outpost was informed of the incident, a Special Rescue Team was immediately dispatched to the site for a rescue operation.
However, the rising water level and the onset of darkness forced them to halt their efforts.
The rescue mission resumed on Monday morning during which the body of the victim was retrieved from the river around 11 am.
Subsequently, the body was sent to Nongpoh Civil Hospital for post-mortem examination.
An investigation is currently under way to determine the precise cause of death.
