Dikhyaa Mohanty 
A 22-year-old YouTuber from Berhampur has been missing for the past five days after being swept away by the powerful currents of the Duduma waterfall in Koraput district while filming reels, police said on Wednesday. The missing youth has been identified as Sagar Kundu, who along with friends had visited the 175-metre-high waterfall on August 23. Despite warnings from his companions about the rising water level, Kundu ventured into the fall area to shoot videos.
A surge was caused by the abrupt release of water from the Machkund dam. In the powerful currents, Kundu was carried away. A video of the event has gone viral on social media, authorities said, adding that despite the efforts of those there to save him, they were unsuccessful.
According to his buddy Abhijit Behera, “Sagar begged for assistance with folded hands.” We were unable to save him, but he tossed away his camera and gear. Personnel from the Lamtaput Fire Service and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have begun a large search and rescue effort. According to Machkund police, only a bag carrying batteries and other equipment has been found thus far. Heavy rain, rugged terrain, and surging water are posing challenges for the rescue personnel.
According to the fire service official, authorities at Machkund Dam have been asked to lock the dam gates in order to lessen water flow and facilitate the search. Sarthak Kundu, Sagar’s father, has urged the government to step up its efforts to find his son. One of the tallest waterfalls in Odisha, Duduma, lies close to the boundary between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Although it is a well-liked tourist site, the powerful currents have caused several accidents during the monsoon season.
