- 22-year-old YouTuber Sagar Tudu, also known online as Sagar Kundu, went missing on August 23 while filming at Duduma Waterfall in Odisha, India.
- Despite warnings from his friend, Sagar continued shooting drone footage from a rock in the stream. A sudden surge of water swept him away, and search efforts are still underway.
- The incident has sparked widespread concern and raised questions about safety at tourist sites.
A day meant for content creation turned into a nightmare at Duduma Waterfall in Odisha’s Koraput district, where 22-year-old YouTuber Sagar Tudu was swept away by a powerful surge of water while filming for his channel.
Sagar, who also goes by the name Sagar Kundu online, had traveled from Berhampur with his friend Abhijit Behera to capture drone footage of the scenic location. On Saturday afternoon, he positioned himself on a rock in the middle of the stream, aiming for dramatic visuals. Despite warnings from his companion about rising water levels, he continued filming.
Moments later, water released from the Machkund Dam surged downstream, catching Sagar off guard. A viral video shows him clinging to the rock as bystanders attempt a rescue using ropes. The current proved too strong, and he was swept away before help could reach him.
Authorities, including police, fire crews, and the State Disaster Response Force, have launched a large-scale search operation. So far, only his filming equipment has been recovered.
The incident has sparked debate online about the risks content creators take for dramatic footage, especially in unpredictable natural environments. Officials have urged tourists and influencers to prioritize safety and heed warnings at all times.
