YAMUNANAGAR, Haryana – A search and rescue operation is underway for two Army soldiers who went missing after their boat capsized in the Yamuna river near the Hathnikund Barrage on Tuesday evening. The incident occurred during a joint watermanship training exercise.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the boat encountered strong currents while moving downstream towards the barrage. Despite swift efforts by the training teams to retrieve the vessel, it became caught in powerful eddies near the sluice gates and overturned, leading to the crew being swept away.
Officials confirmed that two members of the crew are currently unaccounted for. Following the capsizing, a coordinated search and rescue mission was immediately launched. This operation involves personnel from the Army, Air Force, local police, and the civil administration. All available resources are reportedly being utilized in the extensive efforts to locate the missing soldiers.
The Hathnikund Barrage is a significant water control system located on the Yamuna river in the Yamunanagar district of Haryana, near the border with Uttar Pradesh. It plays a crucial role in water management for the northern Indian states, particularly for irrigation and drinking water supply to Delhi and Haryana. The Barrage comprises 18 gates, with 11 on the Haryana side and 7 on the Uttar Pradesh side. During periods of high water flow, particularly during the monsoon season, the currents in the Yamuna river can become exceptionally strong and unpredictable, posing risks to navigation and operations in and around the barrage.
Watermanship training exercises are designed to enhance the skills of soldiers in navigating various water conditions, including rivers and streams. These exercises are crucial for units deployed in areas where water crossings are a common operational necessity. However, such training inherently carries risks, especially in dynamic riverine environments like the Yamuna during its high-flow season. The strong currents and swirling eddies (known as sluice gates) near barrage structures are particularly hazardous, capable of overwhelming even experienced boat crews.
The joint efforts by multiple agencies underscore the seriousness of the situation and the commitment to finding the missing personnel. Search teams are likely employing a range of techniques, including boat patrols, divers, and potentially aerial surveillance, to cover the affected areas of the river. The focus remains on thoroughly searching the downstream areas where the soldiers may have been carried by the current.
The Chenab Times News Desk