SDRF steps up river search as three of Jaisalmer family remain untraced

Jaipur, June 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) The search for three members of a Jaisalmer family missing after their vehicle plunged into the Alaknanda river near Devprayag in Uttarakhand entered its second day on Thursday, with SDRF teams and divers intensifying operations in the river's deeper stretches.

Devprayag Police Station In-Charge Prashant Bahuguna said rescue teams are conducting extensive searches in the river and adjoining areas to trace the missing mother and her two daughters. While three victims have been cremated in Haridwar, the family's lone survivor, a 12-year-old boy who suffered multiple fractures in the crash, remains hospitalised in critical condition on ventilator support.

The victims were part of a family from Jaisalmer that had travelled to Uttarakhand for the Char Dham pilgrimage and sightseeing. The tragedy occurred on June 2 when their Innova vehicle plunged nearly 200 metres into a gorge before falling into the Alaknanda river near Devprayag.

The missing include Guddi Devi (40) and her daughters Namrata (20) and Janhavi (15). SDRF teams, assisted by divers, are now conducting deep-water searches after earlier combing nearly eight kilometres of the river downstream. Meanwhile, the wrecked Innova has been recovered from the riverbed.

Officials confirmed that no one was found inside the vehicle.

According to family members, AIIMS doctor Dr Dinesh Kumar (27) had travelled to Uttarakhand with his mother Kamala Devi (67), elder sister Guddi Devi, and her four children nearly 10 days ago. On May 26, the family dropped off Dinesh's father, Lunaram, at the Patanjali Ashram in Haridwar for Panchakarma treatment.

The rest of the family continued their Uttarakhand tour and were returning to Haridwar on June 2 to pick him up when the accident occurred.

The crash claimed the lives of Dr Dinesh Kumar, Kamala Devi, driver Akhilesh and Ashlesha (18), one of Guddi Devi's daughters. Family members performed the last rites of Dr Dinesh Kumar, Kamala Devi and Ashlesha in Haridwar on Wednesday.

With three family members still missing and rescue operations ongoing, relatives decided against returning to Jaisalmer and conducted the funeral rites in Uttarakhand itself.

The tragedy has left the family devastated. Kamala Devi's husband, Lunaram, survived only because he had stayed back at the Patanjali Ashram for treatment.

Prashant Bahuguna said SDRF teams and divers have intensified the search operation in the Alaknanda River and adjoining areas.

"The vehicle has been recovered with the help of a crane, but no occupants were found inside. Deep-diving operations are now underway at the accident site and downstream stretches of the river," he said.

Despite continuous searches since Tuesday, rescuers had not found any trace of the three missing women till late Wednesday evening.

The lone survivor, Ayushman (12), son of Guddi Devi, sustained severe injuries in the accident and is undergoing treatment at AIIMS Rishikesh. Doctors said the child suffered fractures of the femur (thigh bone) at two places. Orthopaedic specialists immediately stabilised the injury and placed his leg under traction.

Ayushman remains on ventilator support, though doctors have described his condition as stable.

Police said the Innova was extensively damaged in the crash. Preliminary investigations suggest the vehicle may have broken through an earthen roadside barrier before plunging into the gorge. The vehicle reportedly rolled down nearly 200 metres before landing in the river.

Officials are also examining whether speed may have contributed to the accident.

As rescue teams continue battling strong currents and challenging terrain, anxious family members remain hopeful that the three missing women will be located.

Source: IANS