JABALPUR: At least nine people have died after a cruise boat operated by the Madhya Pradesh tourism department capsized in Bargi Dam on the Narmada river near Jabalpur on Thursday evening.What led to incident?Officials said the vessel, carrying around 43 passengers including crew members, overturned after being caught in a sudden and severe storm. The weather changed abruptly around 6pm, with wind speeds reported between 60–70 kmph, creating turbulent conditions in the dam.Authorities said the high-velocity winds likely destabilised the boat, causing it to lose control and capsize.Rescue operationsSearch and rescue operations continued late into Thursday night with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), state disaster units and local administration deployed at the site.The death toll rose to nine after additional bodies were recovered on Friday.‘Life jackets given only after it cruise began sinking’Several survivors have alleged lapses in safety measures, claiming life jackets were distributed only after the vessel began sinking.“There were no visible safety measures during the journey. Panic broke out when the cruise started sinking, and only then were life jackets handed out,” said one survivor, Julius, who lost his wife in the incident. His daughter and grandson are still missing.Another eyewitness, Samrat, said strong winds were already visible before the capsize. “We told the boat operator to turn back, but he did not listen. The boat capsized mid-dam. We managed to rescue around 15–16 people,” he said.Chief minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said rescue operations were underway on a war footing and expressed solidarity with affected families. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the kin of each deceased victim and ordered an inquiry into the incident.Officials said a detailed investigation will examine whether safety protocols were followed, including the timing of life jacket distribution and the decision to continue operations despite deteriorating weather conditions.Bargi Dam, one of the earliest major hydroelectric and irrigation projects on the Narmada, is a popular tourist site located around 40 km from Jabalpur.
