The body of Ezanthung Odyuo was recovered from Doyang River in Wokha district after a two-day search by State and National Disaster Response Force teams.
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WOKHA — A routine fishing trip ended in tragedy as the body of a New Riphyim fisherman was recovered from Doyang River in Wokha district on Sunday after an intensive search.
The victim, identified as Ezanthung Odyuo, was suspected to have drowned in the river on February 26.
The incident came to light the following day after locals noticed his safety tube floating in the river, raising concern.
A search was initiated along his usual fishing route, during which his fishing nets and clothes were found on the riverbank.
As his whereabouts remained untraced, villagers informed the district administration on February 28, following which a team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was deployed.
The SDRF team, led by Platoon Commander Mhonyamo Humtsoe, began search operations around 10 am after receiving information from the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Wokha.
However, the operation was suspended in the evening due to the absence of eyewitness accounts and the vast search area.
On Sunday, March 1, the SDRF was joined by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The joint search operation commenced at 8 am with three deep divers.
After nearly seven hours of continuous search, the body was recovered at around 3 pm, found lodged between rocks at the riverbed.
The body was handed over to the police for necessary legal formalities before being released to family members and village council leaders present at the site.
The NDRF team, led by Deputy Commandant A Boboi, employed multiple techniques during the operation, including rotating boats to generate artificial underwater currents.
The SDRF personnel also highlighted the need for advanced equipment such as deep-diving oxygen gear, stating that it is crucial for effectively handling drowning cases.
The deceased fisherman was unmarried and earned his livelihood through fishing. Locals suspected that he may have suffered a stroke while fishing, as he had a history of a mild stroke.
The search operation was supported by police personnel, DDMA officials, and leaders from New Riphyim, Old Riphyim, and Thillong villages.