At least four people are feared drowned after multiple boats and dinghies, loaded with heavy fishing nets, capsized in the Ganges due to strong winds caused by impending cyclone Dana in Murshidabad’s Farakka and Samserganj police station areas on Wednesday evening.

Locals reported that during the hilsa fishing season, fishermen typically stay on their boats overnight.

On Wednesday evening, sudden gusty winds flipped several boats in Loharpur, Sikdarpur and Dhulian under Samserganj police station, and Arjunpur Ganga Ghat in Farakka, sweeping away at least 10 persons onboard, including minors.

“Some people managed to swim back to shore, but at least four are still missing and are feared to have been drowned. Search operations are underway, but we fear that they may have been swept away by the strong currents in the water. Despite warnings not to venture into the river, many chose to ignore them, leading to tragic accidents like these,” a senior district official said.

Search operations have been launched to locate the missing individuals.

Police officers are present at the Ganga ghats to assist the efforts.

Many family members of those missing have gathered near the riverbanks, anxious for news.

The atmosphere was tense when this report came in late on Wednesday evening.

“Those who managed to swim back to the shore were rushed to Anupnagar Hospital for treatment. It is tough for the search parties to trace the missing persons because of the ongoing rough weather but they are trying their best,” a senior district official said.