A small boat carrying three residents of Deoliya village capsized on Merbil Wetland in Ghilamara, Assam on Sunday, killing 45‑year‑old Padma Dutta, 22‑year‑old Ajit Dutta and 11‑year‑old Mridu Min Dutta.
The trio had boarded the vessel to reach Gohain Bari, where they intended to abandon cattle, according to a local source. The boat reportedly tipped over as water levels surged, a phenomenon the Assam Police spokesman said was uncharacteristic for the low‑slope wetland.
Local residents and police rushed to the scene, launching a search operation that recovered all bodies within hours. The village’s community center was set ablaze with candles as mourners gathered, and the families are reportedly grappling with the sudden loss.
Investigators are probing whether the rapid rise in water was due to monsoon runoff or negligence by boat operators. The Assam State Disaster Management Authority will convene a panel to examine safety protocols for water transport in the region.