Two feared drowned in Bawana Canal, search operation continues

Two 20-year-old youths are feared drowned in the Bawana canal after strong currents swept them away while bathing near Hanuman Mandir in outer Delhi’s Bawana area on Sunday afternoon.

A massive search operation involving the Delhi Police, Fire Services and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continued until Monday evening.

The missing youths have been identified as Prashant Pandey and Satyam Kumar, both residents of Prem Nagar-II in Kirari Suleiman Nagar. According to police, information about two persons missing in the canal was received around 1.15 pm on Sunday.

A team from Bawana police station immediately reached the spot and launched a rescue operation with assistance from NDRF personnel and other emergency responders.

Investigators said Satyam and Prashant had gone to the canal along with their friend Manish. The three friends had reportedly planned an outing and later reached the Bawana canal near Hanuman Mandir on Satyam’s scooter after having lunch together at a nearby hotel.

During questioning, Manish told police that Satyam had called him earlier in the day and persuaded him to join them.

According to reports, while bathing, they ventured into deeper waters and were caught in the canal’s current. Hearing their cries for help, people nearby threw a rope into the water. Manish managed to grab hold of it and was pulled to safety, but Satyam and Prashant were swept away before they could be rescued.

Satyam is survived by his parents, elder brother Shivam and sister Monica. He worked as a broom supplier in the area. Prashant, who lived next door, is survived by his parents, younger brother and sister.

Police said continuous search efforts were underway, but both youths remained untraced. Authorities have appealed to residents to avoid entering canals and other water bodies.