CM Chandrababu mourns 5 deaths in Godavari river
Synopsis
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the deaths of five residents of Gommukottaguddem who perished in the Godavari river in Etapaka mandal, Polavaram district, while on a hunting trip. He has directed officials to extend all necessary relief to the victims' families.
Key Takeaways
5 people — Turram Bharati, Ooke Susheela, Ooke Lakshmi, Basiboina Balaraju, and Ooke Ramesh — died in the Godavari river on 18 July 2026 .
All five were residents of Gommukottaguddem in Polavaram district and had gone on a hunting expedition.
The incident occurred near Gollaguddem in Etapaka mandal , a tribal and forested stretch of the Godavari valley.
CM Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep grief and was briefed by officials on the circumstances of the deaths.
The Chief Minister has directed district officials to provide all necessary assistance and support to the bereaved families.
A specific ex-gratia amount has not yet been announced publicly.
Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh expressed deep grief on Saturday, 18 July 2026, over the deaths of five people in the Godavari river near Gollaguddem in Etapaka mandal of Polavaram district. The Chief Minister's Office of Andhra Pradesh announced that he has directed officials to extend all necessary assistance to the bereaved families.
What happened
Officials briefed CM Chandrababu Naidu that the five deceased — Turram Bharati, Ooke Susheela, Ooke Lakshmi, Basiboina Balaraju, and Ooke Ramesh — all residents of Gommukottaguddem — had gone on a hunting expedition and lost their lives in the river. The incident occurred in the Etapaka mandal area of Polavaram district, a region that lies along the ecologically significant Godavari river corridor.
The Chief Minister's Office stated that Naidu expressed 'intense grief' (tīvra vichāram) upon learning of the tragedy. He immediately issued instructions to district officials to ensure the victim families receive all required support and relief.
Context
The Godavari is one of India's largest river systems, flowing through the tribal and agency areas of Andhra Pradesh. Districts along its course, including Polavaram, are home to communities for whom river-based activities — including fishing, hunting, and seasonal crossings — remain everyday realities tied to livelihood and tradition.
The Etapaka mandal falls within a forested, hilly stretch of the Godavari valley where such activities are common among local tribal and rural populations. Seasonal river conditions can turn hazardous with little warning, making accidental deaths a recurring concern for district administrations.
Policy backdrop
Successive governments in Andhra Pradesh have maintained a practice of announcing ex-gratia relief for families of victims of accidental deaths in riverine and agency areas. State administrations routinely direct district collectors and local officials to expedite compensation and welfare support in such cases.
CM Chandrababu Naidu, in his current and previous terms, has emphasised responsive governance in tribal and rural belts. The directive to officials to provide 'necessary help and support' (avashyamaina sahāya sahakārālu) follows this established administrative protocol.
Stakeholders and impact
The five victims leave behind families in Gommukottaguddem, a village in Polavaram district. The immediate concern for local authorities is ensuring timely relief — including financial assistance, ration support, and welfare entitlements — reaches the households of all 5 deceased individuals.
Tribal welfare departments and district administration of Polavaram are expected to be the primary implementing agencies for any relief measures announced in the wake of the tragedy.
What's next
The state government is yet to announce a specific ex-gratia amount for the victims' families, which will be closely watched by residents and welfare advocates in the region. Any follow-up instructions on river-safety measures or hunting-related advisories in agency areas of Polavaram district will indicate the administration's broader response beyond immediate condolences.
Point of View
Rather than fishing or a river crossing, adds an unusual dimension that may prompt the administration to revisit safety and activity advisories in agency areas. Polavaram district's tribal belt has historically received heightened political attention given the long-running Polavaram irrigation project, making any adverse incident there politically sensitive. Whether this condolence translates into meaningful, expedited ex-gratia relief will be the real measure of the administration's follow-through.
NationPress
18 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who died in the Godavari river accident in Polavaram on 18 July 2026?
Five people from Gommukottaguddem — Turram Bharati, Ooke Susheela, Ooke Lakshmi, Basiboina Balaraju, and Ooke Ramesh — died in the Godavari river near Gollaguddem in Etapaka mandal, Polavaram district.
What was Chandrababu Naidu's response to the Godavari deaths?
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep grief over the incident and directed district officials to provide all necessary assistance and support to the families of the five victims.
Why were the five people in the Godavari river?
According to officials who briefed the Chief Minister, the five individuals had gone on a hunting expedition when they lost their lives in the Godavari river.
Where exactly did the Godavari river accident happen?
The accident occurred near Gollaguddem in Etapaka mandal of Polavaram district, Andhra Pradesh, along the Godavari river.
Will the Andhra Pradesh government give compensation to the families?
CM Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to extend all necessary help to the bereaved families. A specific ex-gratia amount had not been publicly announced as of the time of the Chief Minister's statement on 18 July 2026.
