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.A haunting story Search operations by multiple teams, including the Army, continued at Bargi Dam on Friday morning, but were briefly halted when the eighth and ninth bodies were recovered in a deeply emotional moment. A woman was found clutching her four-year-old child in her arms.

Rescuers said both the mother and child were wearing life jackets, yet the child was still held tightly against her. The deceased were identified as Marina Massey, 39, and her son Trishaan, who had travelled from Delhi for a holiday and were among those killed after the cruise boat capsized. Officials said the child was found pressed close to his mother’s chest, enclosed within her embrace. A rescue worker recalled that even after recovery, they appeared to be holding on to each other, a haunting detail that underscored the human tragedy of the incident.