Rescue personnel during the search operations for a 26-year-old man who drowned in the Doyang Reservoir in Wokha district five days ago. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Wokha | April 15
Search operations entered their fourth day on Wednesday for a 26-year-old man who drowned in the Doyang Reservoir in Wokha district five days ago.
The victim, identified as Yilobemo Kikon of Pangti village, drowned on the afternoon of April 11 while rowing a boat in the middle of the reservoir. The incident occurred between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm and was witnessed by anglers fishing nearby, though the exact cause of the mishap remains unclear.
Rescue efforts could not be initiated on the day of the incident due to late hours, following which search operations commenced the next day and have since continued with the involvement of multiple agencies.
A total of 31 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed, supported by 17 to 18 personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), who are working in shifts. Four divers have been actively engaged on a rotational basis throughout the operation.
On April 15, an underwater drone team joined the search under the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA), adding to the resources already deployed. Despite utilising all available manpower and equipment, the body remains untraced.
Inspector R Aben of the 12th NDRF Regional Response Centre (RRC), Kohima, stated that poor underwater visibility continues to be one of the primary challenges. He explained that visibility drops drastically beyond a depth of around 40 feet, reducing it to near zero and severely limiting the effectiveness of search efforts.
He further informed that while the standard operational capacity for divers and equipment is generally up to around 100 feet, divers involved in the operation have extended their efforts by descending beyond that limit. “However, due to the near-zero visibility and difficult underwater conditions, locating the body has remained unsuccessful.”
In addition to visibility issues, the terrain of the reservoir has posed significant challenges. The dam area is steep and slippery, and the presence of submerged tree branches along with accumulated debris within the water has further complicated the operation.
On the logistical front, officials confirmed that all equipment brought to the site has remained fully functional, and there has been smooth coordination and cooperation among all agencies involved in the search.
Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, Vineet Kumar, informed that the search operation has not been called off and will continue for another two to three days under SDRF personnel. He added that if the body is not recovered within this period, necessary legal procedures will be initiated as per protocol.
Meanwhile, authorities have once again issued a strong advisory to the public, urging people to exercise caution while near water bodies. Officials emphasised that individuals who are unable to swim should avoid venturing into deep waters and must use life jackets, stressing that such precautions are essential to prevent similar tragic incidents in the future.
