A weekend college trip turned into an unimaginable nightmare when four bright engineering students from Bengaluru lost their lives in a tragic drowning incident at an irrigation canal in Mandya district.
The Fateful Outing
The victims, identified as Likith, Chandan, Harsha, and Manjunath, were all third-year engineering students from different colleges in Bengaluru. They had embarked on what should have been a memorable weekend excursion with friends to the scenic KRS area near Mandya.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
According to eyewitness accounts and police reports, the tragedy unfolded around 3 PM on Saturday when the group decided to cool off in the Maddur Minor Irrigation Canal near KRS Dam. The students, unaware of the canal's dangerous undercurrents and slippery surfaces, entered the water for a swim.
What began as recreational fun quickly turned deadly when the strong currents pulled the four students underwater. Despite desperate attempts by their friends to rescue them, the powerful flow proved too much to overcome.
Massive Rescue Operation
Local authorities immediately launched a massive search and rescue operation involving fire and emergency services personnel, local police, and disaster response teams. The challenging conditions of the canal, with its strong currents and murky waters, hampered rescue efforts throughout Saturday evening.
The heartbreaking recovery process stretched into the night and following day, with all four bodies eventually being retrieved from different points along the canal system.
Community in Mourning
The devastating news has sent shockwaves through the educational community in Bengaluru and Mandya. College authorities, fellow students, and local residents have expressed profound grief over the loss of four promising young lives.
Family members of the deceased students are understandably shattered, with many rushing to Mandya to claim the bodies of their loved ones. Counseling services have been arranged for traumatized friends who witnessed the tragedy.
Safety Concerns Raised
This heartbreaking incident has once again highlighted the critical need for better safety measures around irrigation canals and water bodies popular among tourists and locals. Many such spots lack proper warning signs, safety barriers, or monitoring systems despite their known dangers.
Local authorities have reiterated warnings about swimming in irrigation canals, which often have deceptively strong currents, slippery slopes, and unpredictable water levels due to dam operations upstream.
As investigations continue, the families and friends of Likith, Chandan, Harsha, and Manjunath are left to grapple with the sudden void in their lives – a stark reminder of how quickly joy can turn to tragedy.
