A tragic incident occurred in Odisha's Sambalpur district on Saturday, July 26, 2025, where two medical students drowned in the Deba Jharan waterfall. The students, Sandeep Puri and Monica Meena, were final-year students at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla.

According to reports, a group of six VIMSAR students went to the Deba Jharan waterfall for a leisure outing. While the students were bathing in the waterfall, Sandeep and Monica reportedly slipped into the water and were swept away by the current. Other students and tourists present at the site immediately alerted the fire service and police personnel.

Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene, and rescue operations were launched. The rescue team retrieved the bodies of Sandeep and Monica and rushed them to the Jujumara health center. Doctors at the health center declared them dead upon arrival. Initial reports suggest that the students were rescued in critical condition but succumbed to their injuries despite immediate medical attention.

The college authorities stated that they were unaware of the students' plan to visit the waterfall. VIMSAR Superintendent and Dean visited the site to oversee the situation and express their condolences. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and have begun an investigation into the incident. The bodies have been seized for post-mortem examination.

Deba Jharan waterfall is a popular tourist destination known for its natural beauty, especially during the monsoon season. However, the area is also known for being dangerous during the high-water seasons, and safety concerns have been raised in the past. Local authorities have urged tourists and visitors to exercise caution when visiting natural sites, especially during the monsoon, due to strong currents and slippery surfaces.

The incident has sent shockwaves through VIMSAR and the local community. College officials and the families of the victims are in mourning following this heartbreaking loss.