Bengaluru, June 26 (IANS) Following the drowning tragedy that claimed five lives in Karnataka’s Mandya district, State Minister for Water Resources Ramalinga Reddy on Friday directed officials to install barricades along the banks of the River Cauvery at Muthathi, where the incident occurred.

Reddy spoke to Mandya Deputy Commissioner Kumar by phone and instructed him to install barricades to ensure public safety and convenience.

He also directed the Deputy Commissioner to take all necessary measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The Minister instructed the district administration to identify safe spots and designated safe zones for tourists.

He further directed officials to install clearly visible signboards marking safe zones and warning visitors about hazardous areas.

Reddy also instructed the Deputy Commissioner to prohibit people from entering the waters of the River Cauvery except in designated and demarcated areas.

The tragedy occurred on Wednesday evening.

The deceased were identified as Vijayamma (50), Shwetha (38), Chaitra (20), Priyanka (28), and Mahesh, the family’s driver and a close family friend.

All of them were residents of Byadarahalli in Bengaluru.

Mandya Deputy Commissioner Kumar visited the mortuary on Thursday and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

He said preliminary reports indicated that the tragedy occurred around 4.30 p.m. on Wednesday while the victims were near the riverbank.

“According to the information available, the victims were taking photographs near the Cauvery riverbank when one person slipped into the water. As family members attempted to rescue each other, they too got caught in the current and drowned,” he said.

“This is a very painful incident. The victims lost their lives while trying to save one another because of their emotional attachment to each other,” he added.

The Deputy Commissioner noted that similar incidents had occurred at the same location in the past.

“Every year, four to five such incidents are reported here. According to police records, four incidents were reported last year and five the year before that. On average, five to six drowning incidents occur at this spot annually,” he said.

He added that the district administration had already held meetings with the police department and installed warning signboards at the location to alert visitors about the dangers.

Speaking to the media, Ravi, a family member who survived the tragedy, said the group had attended a post-marriage function “Beegara Oota” at Kabbala and was returning to Bengaluru when they decided to visit the Kabbalamma Temple and the Muthathiraya Temple at Muthathi.

“After visiting the temple, we went near the river and played in the water. My sister Vijayamma suddenly slipped and fell into the river. To save her, my wife Shwetha, daughter Chaitra, and my sister’s daughter Priyanka rushed in, but they too were swept away by the strong current,” he said.

“Our friend Mahesh, who was driving the vehicle, immediately ran to rescue them. He, too, was pulled into the water and drowned,” he added.

Ravi said he also entered the river to save them.

“I followed Mahesh and tried to pull them out. But I, too, was dragged into the water. I lost control and began drowning. Fortunately, someone managed to pull me out of the river. I survived, but all the others were swept away by the Cauvery,” he said.

Ravi said the incident unfolded within minutes.

“My sister fell first. My wife tried to save her, and then others followed. I handed my mobile phone to a child standing nearby and rushed into the river. I, too, got caught in the current. Fishermen present at the spot rescued me,” he said.

Personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services Department recovered all five bodies from the river and shifted them to MIMS Hospital for the post-mortem examination.

–IANS

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