VIRAL: YouTuber Swept Away at Duduma Waterfall While Filming

KORAPUT ( Odisha ) –   A tragic incident unfolded at Duduma Waterfall in Odisha’s Koraput district on Saturday, August 23, when 22-year-old YouTuber Sagar Tudu, also known as some meia reported a Sagar Kundu, was swept away by a sudden surge of water while filming content for his YouTube channel. The young content creator from Berhampur, Ganjam district, remains missing as search operations continue.

Sagar, accompanied by his friend Abhijit Behera from Cuttack, had traveled to Koraput to capture videos of local tourist attractions. On Saturday afternoon, he was filming reels using a drone camera while standing on a rock in the middle of the waterfall’s stream. Despite warnings from his companions about the rising water levels, Sagar reportedly continued filming, underestimating the danger.

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The incident occurred after authorities at the nearby Machakunda dam released approximately 2,000 cusecs of water due to heavy rainfall in the Lamtaput area, following an alert to downstream residents. The sudden surge caught Sagar off guard, stranding him on the slippery rock.

A viral video circulating on social media captured the harrowing moment as onlookers and tourists attempted to rescue him using ropes, but the powerful current overwhelmed their efforts, sweeping him away. “I asked him to throw away the equipment and return to the bank. He threw the camera, but before he could move, the water flooded the area and swept him away,” said Abhijit Behera, who narrowly escaped the torrent.

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Local police, fire services, and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) launched a search operation immediately after receiving the report. However, efforts were suspended Saturday night due to poor visibility and resumed Sunday with additional personnel. As of Monday, Sagar remains untraceable, and his family has been informed.

The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many criticizing the risks taken for “reel culture.”  Some saying  “No amount of views or content is worth a life. Nature’s beauty can be dangerous—everyone must stay cautious.” Others called for stricter safety measures at popular tourist sites, noting this is the second such incident at Duduma Waterfall in recent months. In June, a tourist went missing under similar circumstances, prompting renewed calls for better alert systems and safety protocols.

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Authorities have urged tourists and content creators to exercise caution near waterfalls and rivers during the monsoon season, emphasizing that sudden water releases from dams and flash floods pose significant risks. “This tragedy highlights the need for greater awareness and adherence to safety guidelines at natural attractions,” said a local policeman.  The search for Sagar Tudu continues on Monday , with officials and locals holding onto hope for his safe recovery.