A 22-year-old YouTuber is missing after being swept away by strong currents during a filming session in Odisha, India. Sagar Tudu was last seen on August 23, when he went to film reels at Duduma Waterfall in Koraput district. Tudu, a Berhampur resident, was last seen in the water, where he stood on rocks until he lost his balance.
The chilling video of the incident has circulated widely online. The clip shows Tudu, dressed in a white shirt and dark trousers, standing on a rock surrounded by rushing water. Moments later, the current intensified while onlookers frantically tried to throw him a rope, but their efforts failed, and the surging flow dragged away Tudu.
Officials reported that Kudu’s friends repeatedly warned him about the strong current before he entered the water. Police said the tragedy was triggered by a sudden release of water from the Machkund Dam after heavy rainfall, which caused river levels to rise sharply.
Up to Wednesday, a large-scale search was still underway. Fire crews, the State Disaster Response Force, and local volunteers all joined the mission, though rough terrain and relentless rain slowed efforts. Since the search began, officials have only recovered Tudu’s bag on Sunday, August 24. The bag contained his filming equipment, which he had tossed into the water shortly before the powerful current pulled him away.
Madhusudan Bhoi, inspector in charge of Machkund Police Station, noted that the rugged terrain and constant rainfall have complicated rescue efforts. “The rescue operation in the hilly area has been challenging because of the rugged and rocky terrain and incessant rainfall,” he explained.
Fire service officer Umesh Chandra Bagh added that authorities managing the Machkund Dam have been asked to temporarily close its gates. “Once the water level recedes, it will help us carry out the search operation,” he said.
Tudu had nearly 500 subscribers on his YouTube channel. On the platform, he shared his photography and celebrated the culture of Odisha.
