Salem: An elderly couple lost their lives early Monday morning when their car submerged in a waterlogged railway underpass at Semmandapatty near Omalur in Salem district. The victims were identified as Venkatasalam, 61, and his wife Radha, 58, residents of Chinnathirupathi in Salem city.
According to police reports, the couple was traveling to attend a relative’s wedding near Omalur. Around 5 am, their vehicle entered the underpass, which had become severely waterlogged following heavy overnight rains. The car’s locks jammed, trapping the couple inside. Unable to escape, they drowned, said a police officer from Omalur station.
Later in the morning, locals noticed the submerged car and alerted authorities. Police recovered the bodies and sent them to the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital for postmortem. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway.
Concerns over recurring waterlogging
Dr. P.V. Senthil, spokesperson for the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, expressed alarm over the recurring water stagnation in the underpass. He stated, “Every time it rains heavily, this underpass turns into a death trap. Officials must act immediately before more lives are lost.” He also noted that despite repeated complaints from locals, no permanent solution has been implemented.
The incident highlights the dangers posed by inadequate drainage infrastructure in the region. Authorities have been urged to take preventive measures to avoid such tragedies in the future.
