D.Pharmacy student drowns in Polluru waterfall; six friends rescued

A 23-year-old D.Pharmacy student drowned after being swept away by a waterfall, while six of his friends were rescued in a joint operation by the police and Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO) personnel at the Polluru picnic spot under the Mothugudem police station limits in Polavaram district on Sunday.

The deceased was identified as Mahankali Uday Kiran, a native of Ganapavaram village in West Godavari district.

According to the police, a group of seven friends had visited the waterfall, located downstream of the APGENCO reservoir on the outskirts of Polluru, to spend the weekend. The tourist spot has recently gained popularity after being featured in a few Telugu films. Surrounded by rocky terrain, the waterfall is considered hazardous during periods of strong water flow.

“We rushed to the spot after receiving information that seven youths had been swept away. Six of them were rescued, while Uday Kiran was traced dead during the search operation with the help of drones,” said Donkarayi Sub-Inspector B. Sharan Naik, who took part in the rescue operation.

Uday Kiran was undergoing his internship at a hospital in West Godavari district, the police said.

“We have informed the family members of the deceased. A case has been registered at the Mothugudem police station, and the body has been shifted to the Government Hospital at Mothugudem for post-mortem examination,” Mr. Sharan Naik said.