Six students drown in Telangana lake during Ganesh immersion in Sangareddy
Synopsis
Six young men aged 17 to 22 drowned in a Telangana lake while participating in Ganesh idol immersion rituals — a festive tragedy that has prompted Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to order emergency safety measures at immersion sites across the state. The deaths underscore a recurring and preventable risk at India's largest festival gatherings.
Key Takeaways
Six students drowned in Neredu Cheruvu lake in Peddakanjerla village, Sangareddy district on 16 September .
The deceased — Narasimha (21) , Teja (17) , Sidhartha (17) , Ganesh (18) , Sumanth Reddy (17) , and Uday Kiran (22) — were declared brought dead at hospital.
The group accidentally fell into the lake during Ganesh idol immersion ceremonies.
Revanth Reddy directed the district administration to support affected families and enforce stricter safety measures.
Minister Seethakka personally contacted the Sangareddy District Collector and directed officials to prevent children from approaching dangerous water bodies at immersion sites.
Six students drowned in Neredu Cheruvu lake in Telangana's Sangareddy district on Wednesday, 16 September after accidentally falling in during a Ganesh idol immersion ceremony, police confirmed. The victims, aged between 17 and 22 years, were declared brought dead upon arrival at a hospital.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
The incident took place in Peddakanjerla village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Patancheru Police Station of the Cyberabad Commissionerate. The group of young men had gathered at the lake to participate in the Vinayaka Chaturthi immersion rituals when they accidentally slipped into the water.
Locals at the scene pulled the youth out of the lake and rushed them to a nearby hospital. However, doctors declared all six brought dead. The deceased have been identified as Narasimha (21), Teja (17), Sidhartha (17), Ganesh (18), Sumanth Reddy (17), and Uday Kiran (22).
Government Response and Condolences
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the deaths and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He directed the district administration to extend immediate support to the affected families and instructed officials to enforce stricter safety precautions during the remaining Ganesh immersion ceremonies.
Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Seethakka, also expressed anguish over the loss of six young lives during the festive season. She personally contacted the Sangareddy District Collector to obtain full details of the incident, including the circumstances of the accident, relief operations undertaken, and assistance being provided to the families.
Safety Measures Directed
Minister Seethakka also spoke with Women and Child Welfare Department Secretary Shruti Ojha to coordinate relief efforts. She directed officials to remain extra vigilant about children's safety near water bodies during immersion ceremonies and ordered the strict implementation of preventive measures to keep children away from hazardous areas at immersion sites.
This comes amid concerns that festive immersion ceremonies across India often lack adequate crowd management and water-safety infrastructure, making such tragedies a recurring risk during major festivals. Authorities are expected to review safety protocols at immersion ghats across Telangana in the aftermath of this incident.
Point of View
Year after year. The political response was swift, but condolences and post-facto directives cannot substitute for pre-event safety infrastructure: lifeguards, barricaded ghats, and enforced crowd limits. Telangana has seen similar incidents in previous years, raising questions about whether state and local administrations treat immersion safety as a genuine operational priority or a post-tragedy talking point.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Ganesh immersion drowning incident occur in Telangana?
The incident occurred at Neredu Cheruvu lake in Peddakanjerla village, under Patancheru Police Station of the Cyberabad Commissionerate in Sangareddy district, Telangana, on 16 September.
Who are the six students who drowned in Sangareddy?
The six deceased have been identified as Narasimha (21), Teja (17), Sidhartha (17), Ganesh (18), Sumanth Reddy (17), and Uday Kiran (22). All were between 17 and 22 years of age and were participating in Ganesh idol immersion rituals when they accidentally fell into the lake.
What action did Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy take after the drowning?
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the deaths and directed the district administration to provide support to the affected families. He also instructed officials to enforce appropriate safety precautions during Ganesh immersion ceremonies.
What steps did Minister Seethakka announce following the tragedy?
Minister for Women and Child Welfare Seethakka contacted the Sangareddy District Collector and Department Secretary Shruti Ojha to gather details and coordinate relief. She directed officials to keep children away from hazardous water bodies at immersion sites and ordered strict implementation of safety measures.
Why are Ganesh immersion ceremonies considered risky near water bodies?
Ganesh immersion ceremonies draw large crowds to lakes, rivers, and ponds, often without adequate safety infrastructure such as lifeguards, barricades, or crowd management. Accidental slips into deep or slippery water bodies during the festive rush have led to drowning deaths in multiple states across India in previous years as well.
