Two youths washed away

The deceased have been identified as Praveen Kumar (20) son of S P Kumar, and Naveen Kumar (19) son of Ramesh of Kadirenapalya at Indiranagar in Bangalore.

Praveen Kumar and his relatives had come here to immerse the ashes of his paternal aunt who had died a fortnight ago. He stepped into the river along with the ashes and was washed away by the strong current.

Owing to heavy rains in the recent days, the river was full. Naveen Kumar, who tried to rescue him, also met the same fate. Efforts made by the local people to rescue them proved futile, said an eyewitness. Their bodies are yet to be retrieved.