Haridwar, Feb. 12 -- A student, identified as Ashish Shukla, from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, drowned in the Ganga Canal late Wednesday evening.

SDRF and local police are conducting a search operation as the water flow remains strong, police said.

SP Rural Roorkee, Shekhar Chandra Suyal, explained that the student had reportedly gone to the canal banks near the Municipal Corporation Bridge with a group of 4-5 friends. After he fell into the river, the other students attempted to save him but were unsuccessful.

"This incident occurred yesterday late in the evening. At around 6 o'clock, we received information that 4-5 students from IIT Roorkee were sitting on the riverbank. One student, named Ashish Shukla, went in...