Residents in Rupandehi and Palpa have demanded a restriction on public entry at the dam site (headworks) of the Tinau river, citing repeated drowning incidents and what they describe as negligence by authorities.

Their demand comes after two Indian teenagers went missing while swimming in the river on Sunday afternoon. The missing boys, identified as 17-year-olds Faran Ansari and Aman Ansari from Santveer Nagar in India, had travelled to Nepal with a group of seven people. They have not been found as of Monday morning.

According to the District Police Office, Palpa, the two were swept away while swimming near the dam site in Tinau Rural Municipality–3, Dobhan. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

A diving team from Nepalgunj has been mobilised to support the search, officials said. Rescue teams, including the Armed Police Force, have been deployed since Sunday.

Authorities say the terrain, strong currents and poor visibility due to muddy water have made the search difficult.

The area has long been a popular destination for visitors from Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Nawalparasi and parts of India seeking relief from summer heat. However, locals say it has also become a repeated site of fatal accidents.

Records show 11 deaths by drowning in the Tinau river area in fiscal year 2024-25, seven in 2023-24 and nine in the year before that.

Locals and visitors say many incidents occur when people underestimate the depth and force of the river, especially around the dam structures and nearby pools formed by the current.

Residents also point to a lack of effective warning systems and enforcement. They say warning boards alone have not been enough to prevent people from entering dangerous zones.

Officials acknowledge the risks. A district administration official said the site’s rocky underwater structures, whirlpools and submerged debris add to the danger. They also said tighter enforcement, including restricting access through police deployment, may be necessary.

Despite past attempts to restrict entry, enforcement has remained inconsistent, according to residents.

Community members are now urging local governments and security agencies to implement permanent safety measures, including barriers, surveillance and on-site monitoring, to prevent further loss of life.