Authorities call off search for man swept away by stream in Kohima

KOHIMA — After an extensive five-day search, the operation to locate Rendemo Odyuo, who was swept away by the Dzuvuru stream in Kohima, has been officially called off on Thursday. The 25-year-old Kohima resident was lost to the currents on June 27.

Despite the combined efforts of the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, District Disaster Management Authorities, local administration, police, volunteers, and family members, Odyuo remains untraceable.

“No sign (of the body) could be found, so the operation was called off,” the nodal officer of the District Disaster Management, Wokha, and Assistant Manager of Relief, Recovery and Mitigation, L Jonjibemo Odyuo, told Eastern Mirror.

The search in the Doyang river alone lasted for three days, with intensive efforts including manual searches as well as drone surveillance, he said.

Before ending the operation, feedback was gathered from all unit leaders on the ground, and a debriefing session was held with family members and the Kohima Yikhum Union. While unsuccessful, the family expressed satisfaction with the thoroughness of the search efforts.

“Basing on that, we called off the entire search operation,” Odyuo said, adding that the family has requested a potential follow-up search during the dry season.

Although the official search has concluded, the DDMA has requested that villagers, fishing communities, and inhabitants along the Doyang river to remain vigilant and report any signs of the body.

The official further informed that no injuries or accidents occurred among personnel or volunteers during the operation.