MYSURU: Six villagers including four women were rescued from drowning in Hemavathi river at Akkihebbal village of KR Pet taluk in Mandya district on Saturday by two local youth when the authorities released water from the Hemavathi reservoir to KRS dam without prior information. Villagers allege that this is unusually against protocol.
Lathamani, Mahadevamma, Rajamani, Komala, Lakshman and Cheluvanayaka were washing clothes and utensils near Lakshmi Narasimha Temple located on the river bank when the water level suddenly rose. Caught in the middle of the waters, they started screaming for help. Two youth, Ravi and Lokesh who were nearby jumped into the water and rescued them.
The water was released from upstream Hemavathi reservoir to KRS dam in order to meet the drinking water requirements of Bengaluru, Mysuru and other towns in the region. Usually, the irrigation department alerts people not to venture close to the river before the release, but villagers allege that they protocol was not followed this time.
The villagers blocked the main road at Akkihebbal village in order to protest against the negligence of the authorities. KR Pet tehsildar Rathnamma who visited the spot, said she would find out where the authorities erred and suitable action would follow.