Two techies drown at Mekedatu while taking selfie

Two software engineers from the city are feared drowned at Mekedatu, on the banks of the Cauvery, after one of them slipped into the river, on Sunday.

The other friend who ventured into the water to save the first victim, was also washed away in the gushing water.

The victims have been identified as Sameer Rahman (29), and Bhavani Shankar (29), residents of Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru and natives of Bidar, the police said.

According to the police, the incident happened between 10.30 and 11.30 am at Sangam, Mekedatu in Sathanur where the four friends, Sameer Rahman, Bhavani Shankar, Amit and Srikanth visited on two bikes. They were roommates.

Sameer was trying to take a selfie, when he slipped and fell into the water. Bhavani Shankar also leaped in to save his friend.

As the Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam's 12 gates are open, the water level has risen to 60-70 feet more than the usual, a senior police officer said.

Amit and Srikanth sought help from locals who informed the police. The police alerted Fire and Emergency Services who rushed to the spot and started the search operation.

Sunday's search operation was called off in the night and resumed on Monday morning.

The search team are checking rock crevices underwater with the help of locals. They suspect the bodies could have gotten trapped.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been called for an elaborate search operation.

Sathanur police have informed the victims' families of the accident , and are assisting the search team to retrieve the bodies.

— Deccan Herald (@DeccanHerald) July 16, 2018