Flood chaos: Search ramps up for missing Katanning father after vehicle found abandoned in flood waters

An item of clothing belonging to a missing Katanning father has been found in flood waters in WA’s Wheatbelt this morning as a desperate search ramps up. Ajit Khan, 34, was on his way home from Perth to Katanning on Tuesday morning when his vehicle became stranded in a flood way on Ballagin Road in Piesseville, near Wagin. A search was launched yesterday after his green Mitsubishi Triton ute was found abandoned about 11.30am. A police helicopter flew over the water last night and again this morning using its specialised cameras to search for Mr Khan. Search efforts resumed at first light this morning with a police drone, police divers, two vessels and State Emergency Services volunteers. Those efforts have now widened to include a land search of the surrounding area. Mr Khan is described as 170cm tall with tan skin, a slim build, black hair and black eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, blue jacket and white slippers with black soles, according to police. He is a father of three who works at the local abattoir in Katanning. “He has obviously come into difficulty crossing the river here, the flood way, and all of the activities now have swung into a land search for Ajit Khan,” Great Southern Superintendent Kim Travers said. Mr Khan’s vehicle was founded stranded alongside a white Range Rover, which authorities have successfully identified and made contact with the driver to confirmed they are safe. Both vehicles made their way around road closure signs at some time before 11.30am on Tuesday, according to Narrogin DFES officer Lynda Elms. A blue jacket was found by police about 8:30am this morning, along with several other items. “The blue jacket that has been recovered, the family have identified that blue jacket as being Ajit Khan’s,” she said. “There are two vehicles, there is property from both vehicles that are floating down the river. “Those items could belong either vehicle so we are unsure about that at this point in time. “All of the other items have yet to be identified.” Police hold grave fears for Mr Khan, who is understood not to be a strong swimmer. “We’re very very concerned,” WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson told 6PR this morning. “We can’t reach his phone. We have very serious concerns for his welfare.” Wagin has copped a 48mm soaking over the past 48 hours, with the Buchanan River flooding Ballagin Road near Piesseville-Tarwonga Road. Supt Travers described the weather across her Great Southern Police District so far this month as “unrelenting”. “The ground is absolutely saturated...never enter a road with water across it, the risk is too great,” Supt Travers said. She said police were still hopeful that Mr Khan had survived. “What we are hoping — and we are hoping — is that Ajit has somehow made his way onto the embankment and he may be in a local area near a farm,” she said. “If that is the case we are asking for farmers to search their properties as well as they can. “We are hopeful that we can find Ajit Khan and we will continue to search.” Anyone who might have picked up Mr Khan or seen him in the area is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.