Family of Four Dies in Cauvery River; Deceptive Depths and Currents Blamed

A family pilgrimage ended in tragedy after five people, including four members of the same family, drowned in the Cauvery River near Muthathi in Karnataka's Mandya district on Wednesday evening. According to police, the victims had entered the river after visiting nearby temples and ventured into a dangerous stretch of water despite warnings. The incident occurred when an attempt to rescue one family member quickly turned into a fatal chain of drownings.

The deceased have been identified as Chaitra (20), Shwetha (38), Vijayamma (50), Priyanka (28), and Mahesh, the driver of the rented vehicle in which the family had travelled. The victims were natives of Channapatna and residents of Bengaluru's Byadarahalli area. Police said six family members, along with a four-year-old child, had travelled to Mandya district for a pilgrimage before the tragedy unfolded.

According to the Mandya police, the group first visited the Kabbalamma Temple and later reached the Muthathiraya Temple at Muthathi at around 4 p.m. After offering prayers, they proceeded to the nearby Cauvery River. Investigators said the family initially entered a shallow section of the river but later moved towards a deceptively deep area to take photographs despite warnings about the dangerous currents.

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Police said one of the women slipped into the river's strong current while posing for photographs. In an attempt to save her, other family members entered the water one after another. However, the powerful underwater currents overwhelmed them, causing multiple people to be swept away within minutes. The rescue effort tragically resulted in the deaths of all five victims.

Local residents and emergency responders rushed to the scene after being alerted. Rescue teams launched an operation to recover the victims, while police registered a case and began an investigation into the incident. Authorities said the river section where the tragedy occurred is known for its sudden changes in depth and strong currents, making it particularly hazardous for visitors unfamiliar with the area.

Officials have once again urged tourists and pilgrims to strictly follow safety advisories and avoid entering rivers or other water bodies at unapproved locations, especially during the monsoon season when water levels and currents can change rapidly. The incident has highlighted the dangers of ignoring warning signs and the risks associated with attempting rescues without proper equipment or trained personnel.

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