Kendrapada: A 64-year-old man went missing while his wife was rescued after the couple were swept away by strong currents in the Birupa river at Balikuda Ghat under Balichandrapur police limits in Jajpur district on Monday morning. The missing person, Sudhakar Ojha (64), and his wife Tilotama Ojha (60) had entered the river for a bath when they were caught in the current. Locals managed to rescue Tilotama and shifted her to the community health centre at Indupur for treatment.A joint team of fire services personnel and local fishermen launched a search operation to trace Sudhakar. Police said the chances of survival appeared slim given the strong current in the river. Eyewitnesses said Sudhakar was the first to be swept away. Hearing his cries for help, Tilotama rushed to rescue him but was also dragged downstream by the current before being pulled out by local residents.IIC, Balichandrapur, Dilip Mohanty said an investigation is underway. A local resident, Pravat Mallick, said bathers have to cross a deep pit near the ghat before entering the river, which may have contributed to the mishap.