A 22-year-old YouTuber from Odisha, Sagar Kundu, has been missing for five days after being swept away by strong currents at the Duduma Waterfall in Koraput district on August 23, 2025. Kundu, a resident of Berhampur, had visited the 175-meter-high waterfall with friends to shoot videos for his YouTube channel.

According to police reports, Kundu ventured into the waterfall despite repeated warnings from his friends about the rising water level. A sudden surge of water, released from the Machkund dam after heavy rainfall in the Lamtaput area, caught him off guard. The strong currents swept him away as his friends' attempts to rescue him failed. A video of the incident, which went viral on social media, shows Kundu struggling against the current. His friend, Abhijit Behera, recounted the harrowing experience, stating that Kundu was pleading for help and threw his camera and equipment into the water before being swept away.

A search operation was immediately launched by the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and Lamtaput Fire Service personnel. However, the rescue efforts have been hampered by the challenging hilly terrain, rugged rocks, and continuous rainfall. Machkund Police Station inspector in-charge (IIC) Madhusudan Bhoi reported that a bag containing batteries and other equipment belonging to Kundu had been recovered. As of August 27, 2025, Kundu remains untraced. Fire service officer Umesh Chandra Bagh mentioned that a request has been made to the Machkund dam authorities to close the reservoir gates in order to reduce the water level and aid the ongoing search operation.

The incident has sparked widespread debate across social media, with many expressing grief and condolences while others criticized the growing culture of risk-taking for viral fame. Some have called for stricter enforcement of safety measures at hazardous tourist destinations like Duduma Waterfall, which is known for its unpredictable currents and lack of protective infrastructure. Duduma Waterfall, located near the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, is a popular tourist spot and one of the highest waterfalls in Odisha. It originates from the Machkund river and serves as a major source of hydroelectric power.

Sagar's father, Sarthak Kundu, has appealed to the local administration to trace his son. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers lurking behind seemingly adventurous videos and the importance of prioritizing safety, especially at hazardous natural sites.