Gandacherra, April 5: In a tragic incident, a student of National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala lost his life after drowning in the waters of Dumbur Reservoir’s Narikel Kunja Tourist Centre.
The deceased has been identified as Abhinav Singh (20), a resident of Uttar Pradesh.
According to reports, Abhinav had arrived at Narikel Kunja on Friday along with four of his friends to spend time at the scenic tourist destination. The group stayed there overnight. On Saturday morning, while bathing in the reservoir, Abhinav suddenly went underwater and failed to resurface.
On receiving information, personnel from the Raisabari and Gandacherra Fire and Emergency Services rushed to the spot and launched a search operation. After nearly five hours of intensive efforts, Abhinav Singh was finally recovered from the water, but he was found dead.
The heartbreaking incident has cast a shadow of grief and also triggered panic among tourists visiting the area.
Notably, similar drowning incidents have been reported from Dumbur Reservoir almost every year, raising fresh concerns over the lack of adequate safety measures at one of Tripura’s most visited tourist destinations.
Locals and visitors alike have repeatedly pointed out the absence of proper warning signage, restricted bathing zones, trained lifeguards, rescue equipment, and continuous safety monitoring in and around the reservoir.
Adding to the concern, a recent drowning incident in the same water body had already shocked the region. A child, who had reportedly been returning home by boat with his grandfather after selling jujube fruits, fell into the water and went missing. His body was recovered only after several days.
With another young life lost, questions are once again being raised over whether enough is being done to ensure tourist and public safety at Dumbur Reservoir.
