Patna: Two women went missing after an overloaded boat capsized in Kiul river in Lakhisarai district because of strong winds in the wake of the landfall of cyclone Dana on Friday. State Disaster Response Force and police started a search operation to rescue them, but they were not found until late evening. The country boat, carrying 12 people — which is double its capacity — capsized around 11am in Deoghara Chandra Tola village under Medni Chowki police station, officials said.
The missing women were identified as Balia Devi (30) and Rani Devi (35), both residents of Deoghara Chandra Tola.
Suryagarha circle officer Swatantra Kumar and Medni Chowki station house officer (SHO), Chitranjan Kumar, reached the spot upon getting information about the incident.
Chitranjan said there were 12 people on the country boat, including five men. "All five men, including owner Bhola Mahto, somehow swam out of the river. Meanwhile, a motorised boat at the dock arrived at the spot and rescued five women. However, two women went missing," the SHO said, adding that the boat had a capacity of six people. "Overloading and the strong winds due to the effect of cyclone Dana led to the incident."