Five of Hyderabad family drown in Godavari, four bodies found, one missing

Five members of a family of 22 drowned in the holy town of Basara in Telangana. While the bodies of four were recovered, one remained missing.

The incident occurred Sunday evening when a group of 22 people, supposed to be from the same family, travelled from Hyderabad’s Chintal area to visit the Basara temple and proceeded to take a holy dip in the Godavari river. According to officials, five people entered the water but unknowingly stepped into a deep section of the river. They were quickly swept away by the current.

Despite desperate efforts by family members and fellow pilgrims to revive them after four of them were pulled out of the river by divers, they could not be saved. The deceased have been identified as Rakesh (17), Vinod (18), Rithik (18) and Bharat (17). Search operations are currently underway to trace the fifth missing youth, with police and rescue teams continuing to monitor the area.

Authorities have urged pilgrims to remain cautious and avoid venturing into deeper waters.

Basara is a census town located in Nirmal district and is situated on the banks of the Godavari River. The area has geographical and religious significance as the town is home to one of the two prominent temples of Goddess, Hindu goddess of knowledge and learning, in the Indian subcontinent.

The temple is located on the left bank of Godavari River, and many pilgrims take a holy dip in the Godavari before visiting the temple, believing it cleanses them of sins.

Written by Rithu Pawar