A 23-year-old woman drowned after a car she was travelling in with her family got stuck in neck-deep water at KR Circle underpass in Bengaluru on Sunday. The victim, identified as Banurekha, worked in Infosys. Banurekha’s family members, who were travelling with her, were rescued by personnel from the fire department.
The woman was touring the city along with her family members, who had come to the IT Capital from Andhra Pradesh’s Vijayawada.
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the family of the deceased woman. Siddaramaiah, who visited the spot of the incident, said the family was out sightseeing in the hired vehicle.
“The family from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh had hired a car and come to see Bengaluru. Bhanurekha works in Infosys. Due to the downpour, the barricade at the underpass fell down and the driver took the risk of crossing the underpass, which he should not have,” Siddaramaiah told reporters.
Those present at the spot said the car driver tried to zoom through the water, but ended up getting the car submerged. An FIR has been registered at Halasuru Gate Police Station in Bengaluru’s Cubbonpete in the matter. The FIR has been registered on the complaint filed by the woman’s brother.
Heavy rainfall lashed parts of Bengaluru on Sunday leading to severe waterlogging. Due to the downpour and hailstorm, the water level in the underpass started increasing. As the family started crying for help, people nearby rushed to their rescue, news agency PTI reported.
They threw sarees and ropes to help them keep afloat. Those entrapped tried to climb up but failed. While two of them were dragged out by swimmers of the emergency services personnel, others were brought out using a ladder. The survivors were rushed to the hospital where they found Bhanurekha dead.
