Four youngsters drown in Wardha river in Asifabad

Kaghaznagar DSP A Karunakar said efforts were on to trace the bodies. 

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Kumram Bheem Asifabad: In a tragic incident, four youngsters drowned in the Wardha river while taking a dip after celebrating Holi at Thatipalli village in Koutala mandal on Monday.

Koutala Inspector Sadiq Pasha said the youngsters were identified as Uppala Santosh (24), Yelumula Praveen (24), Panasa Kamalakar (24) and Alam Sai (22), all from Nadimabad in Koutala mandal headquarters. They were reportedly taking a dip in the river to wash off colors, soon after celebrating Holi.

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The four, along with two other friends Pasula Santosh and Medi Naveen had stepped into the river. While Santosh was browsing on his mobile phone after the dip and Naveen went home, Santosh, Praveen, Kamalakar and Sai tried to take a dip at a deep spot though they were not familiar with swimming. Santosh, who realised that his friends were drowning, raised an alarm but by the time nearby fishermen could reach the spot, the four drowned. Santosh then alerted their parents who alerted the police.

While Praveen is survived by his wife and son, Sai had completed his graduation. Shankar was working with a rice mill in Koutala mandal centre. Kamalakar was a driver at the same mill.

A search operation under the supervision of Kaghaznagar DSP A Karunakar with help from local fishermen managed to retrieve the bodies from downstream after three hours. A case was registered. Investigations are on..