Tragedy in Shivamogga: Four from same family drown in Bhadra canal

Shivamogga: A tragic accident claimed the lives of four members of a single family after they slipped into the Bhadra canal at Arabilachi Camp in Bhadravati taluk of Shivamogga district on Sunday. The incident occurred when the family had gone to the canal to wash clothes, police said.

The deceased have been identified as Neela Bai (50), her son Ravi (23), daughter Shwetha (24), and son-in-law Parashurama (28). All of them were natives of Bendekatte village in Shikaripura taluk and had come to Arabilachi Camp to visit relatives for Mari Habba festivities.

According to preliminary information, the family visited the canal in the morning hours to wash clothes. During this time, one of them accidentally slipped on the wet surface near the canal and fell into the water. Seeing this, the others rushed to rescue the person. However, the strong current in the canal proved fatal, and all four were swept away within minutes.

Local residents who witnessed the incident immediately alerted the authorities. Personnel from the Holehonnur police station, along with the fire and emergency services team, rushed to the spot and launched a search operation. Due to the depth of the canal and the swift flow of water, rescue efforts faced challenges.

Search operations continued for several hours, with officials using boats and other equipment to trace the bodies. Police said the exact sequence of events would be confirmed after completing the inquiry and post-mortem procedures.

The incident has sent shockwaves through both Arabilachi Camp and Bendekatte village, where the family was well known. Relatives and locals expressed grief and demanded better safety measures near canals, especially in areas frequently used by villagers for daily activities.

Police have registered a case of accidental death under relevant sections and are investigating further. Officials have once again urged people to remain cautious while approaching canals, rivers, and other water bodies, particularly during washing or bathing, as slippery surfaces and strong currents pose serious risks.

Authorities have also advised local administrations to consider installing warning signs and barriers at vulnerable spots along canals to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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