At approximately 5:30 pm, Treeza Chauhan, 36, received a video call from her sister Merina, 39, who was aboard the boat named Narmada Queen. Merina appeared cheerful, with wind blowing through her hair as she showed her sister the scenic views of the reservoir located around 35 kilometers from Jabalpur. She pointed the camera toward the water and the dam, expressing excitement and admiration for the surroundings.
Less than forty minutes later, at 6:07 pm, Treeza received another call from Merina. This time, the situation had drastically changed. Merina was crying uncontrollably and screaming that the boat was sinking. She repeatedly pleaded for help and urged her sister to pray for their survival before the call abruptly disconnected. Despite repeated attempts, Treeza could not reach anyone afterward.
The boat, carrying an estimated 43 passengers, capsized at around 6:13 pm.
Merina was on board with her husband Pradeep Kumar Verma, 39, their daughter Siya, 14, and son Trishan, 4, along with their parents Julius, 70, and Madhu Massey, 62. The family had traveled from Delhi on Tuesday to attend a housewarming ceremony in Jabalpur and had planned to return on Saturday. A recreational boat ride was arranged on Thursday afternoon.
As the vessel was hit by strong winds and turbulent waters, panic spread among passengers. Survivors stated that water began entering the boat rapidly, forcing some to break open storage compartments to retrieve life jackets. Julius, a retired army officer, managed to grab a flotation tube and swim toward the riverbank.
Pradeep Kumar Verma, who knew how to swim, remained with his daughter Siya and ensured both wore life jackets before being rescued with the help of ropes. However, Merina, Madhu Massey, and young Trishan were unable to escape. Julius recounted that Merina was last seen helping her son wear a life jacket as the vessel overturned.
According to Pradeep Kumar Verma, chaos engulfed the boat as storm-like winds intensified. He stated that he and another passenger forced open a lock to access life jackets. His final sight of his wife was her holding their son tightly inside her life jacket moments before the capsize.
Rescue divers from Agra, experienced in multiple recovery operations, described the scene as deeply distressing. One diver said they found a body floating near the wreckage that initially appeared motionless, and upon turning it over, they discovered a mother and child locked in an embrace, still inside a single life jacket.
Siya, 14, who survived the incident, stated that she had seen her family alive moments before the tragedy unfolded, adding that she later witnessed their bodies being recovered.
Treeza Chauhan, speaking from her residence in Delhi Cantonment on Friday afternoon, said she first learned of her sister’s death by 7:30 pm on Thursday. The full extent of the tragedy, including the deaths of her sister Merina and nephew Trishan, became clear only on Friday morning.
Merina and Madhu Massey, both homemakers, along with Trishan, were confirmed deceased. Julius and Pradeep Kumar Verma survived the incident, while Siya was rescued. Trishan had recently begun school on April 6, and Siya is currently a class 8 student.
The incident has left the family shattered and raised serious questions about passenger safety and preparedness on recreational water transport at the Bargi Dam reservoir.
The tragedy stands as a harrowing reminder of how swiftly a moment of leisure can turn into irreversible loss, leaving behind a trail of grief, unanswered calls, and a mother’s final act of protection that rescue teams say they will never forget.
About The Author
Comment List