Five youths drowned this morning while taking ritual baths on the occasion of Mahashivratri in the Godavari river at Tadipudi.
A group of 11 youngsters had gone for a bath in the river when five of them unknowingly ventured into a deep section. In a desperate attempt to save one another, they were tragically swept away.
Upon receiving the information, the local police rushed to the spot and launched search operations with the help of expert swimmers. Senior officials, including Kovvur RDO Rani Susmita and DSP Devakumar, supervised the search and rescue operations.
The deceased have been identified as T Pawan (17), P Durga Prasad (19), P Sai Krishna (19), A Pawan (19) and G Akash (19). All were students pursuing Intermediate and degree courses in Kovvur, Tallapudi and Rajamahendravaram.
Authorities have urged people to exercise caution while venturing into rivers, especially during festival gatherings, to prevent such tragedies.
filed in:Andhra Pradesh, Accidents, Deaths, Drowning, Godavari River, Religious Rituals