What Led to the Drowning of Five Youths in the Godavari River in Telangana?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Five youths drowned in the Godavari river during a holy ritual.
- The victims were part of a family visiting from Hyderabad.
- Local authorities are urged to implement safety measures at water bodies.
- The river's current was heightened due to recent rains.
- Community calls for action to prevent future tragedies.
Hyderabad, June 15 (NationPress) In a heartbreaking event, five young individuals tragically lost their lives in the Godavari river located in Telangana's Nirmal district on Sunday, as reported by local authorities.
The incident took place in the temple town of Basar, where they entered the river for a holy bath.
The victims were all members of the same family, hailing from Chintal in Hyderabad. This family, consisting of 18 members originally from Rajasthan, had traveled to Basar to visit the Saraswati temple and to partake in the sacred bathing ritual.
Prior to their temple visit, they decided to go to the river as part of their traditional practices. As they ventured deeper into the water, they encountered difficulties and began to drown. Witnesses reported that the youths were unaware of the water's depth.
Family members on the riverbank quickly raised the alarm. Local residents attempted to assist but were unsuccessful. They contacted the police, who, along with skilled swimmers, were able to recover the bodies.
The river's current had intensified due to recent rainfall upstream.
The deceased have been identified as Rakesh, Vinod, Madan, Rutik, and Bharat, all under the age of 20. Their remains have been transported to the government hospital in Bhainsa.
In light of several similar incidents at the Godavari ghat, local residents are urging authorities to implement proper safety measures.
The Minister for Transport and BC Welfare, Ponnam Prabhakar, expressed his sorrow over this tragic event. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the victims' families.
The minister cautioned individuals visiting rivers and irrigation sites to exercise vigilance. He instructed officials to place warning signs at various water bodies to alert the public regarding the depth of the water.
Prabhakar also noted that in January, five youths from Hyderabad drowned in the Kondapochamma reservoir while attempting to take a selfie in perilous conditions.
Just a week ago, six youths lost their lives in the Medigadda Barrage in the Jayashankar Bhupalapally district.