YouTuber Swept Away at Duduma Waterfall While Filming Drone Video in Odisha (video)

This is the horrifying moment a YouTuber was swept away in a waterfall after wading into a raging river to pose for a drone video in India

A 22-year-old YouTuber was swept away at Duduma Waterfall in Odisha’s Koraput district after wading into a raging river to capture drone footage for his channel. The victim, identified as Sagar Tudu from Berhampur, was filming on Saturday when the incident unfolded.

A viral video of the tragedy shows Tudu standing on a rock near the powerful torrents as he tried to pose for dramatic footage. Onlookers attempted to throw a rope and shouted instructions in a desperate bid to save him. Moments later, the water surged forward, and he was seen clinging to the rock before being dragged away by the fierce current.

A chilling clip, which has since gone viral, shows how he was seen clinging desperately before being dragged away by the crushing current

Authorities reported that the accident occurred after water was suddenly released from the Machkund Dam following heavy rainfall, which caused the river level to rise sharply. Police, fire services, the State Disaster Response Force, and local volunteers launched a large-scale search operation. By Sunday evening, rescuers had only recovered his bag containing filming equipment.

The video has sparked widespread reaction online, with many expressing shock and sympathy, while others criticized the risky stunt and the lack of proper safety measures. Tudu’s YouTube channel, which had nearly 500 subscribers, focused on photography and often highlighted the culture of Odisha.

Bystanders react as he is swept away by the raging river

The tragedy has also reignited concerns over safety at Duduma Waterfall, a popular but dangerous tourist attraction on the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border. The waterfall plunges more than 150 meters into the Machkund River and has previously been flagged for safety risks during monsoon season.