HASSAN: The picturesque backwaters of Hemavathi reservoir is turning into a deathtrap as many people drowned while playing or swimming in it.
Most of the victims were tourists who met watery grave due to lack of awareness about the area.
Tourists visit Konapura island and the backwaters to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Sources said nine people drowned in the backwaters in the past two years.
It may be recalled that four children drowned while playing in the presence of their parents a fortnight ago.
The backwaters is a haven for criminal activities during the night, as miscreants gather there to allegedly hatch plots.
The backwaters and adjacent areas were littered with plastic and empty bottles as visitors consume alcohol and non-vegetarian food here.
The police had fished out the bodies of two fishermen who were murdered by fellow fishermen after a quarrel in the backwaters one-and-a-half years ago.
Lack of security is one of the reasons for the deaths and there are nobody to instruct or take care of visitors. Dam authorities said they are not dealing with the issues of the backwaters and the police should take care of it.
Ramaiah, a farmer from Gorur, alleged that the backwaters is a haven for criminals as nobody goes there during the night.
Ramegowda, a progressive thinker, said the need of the hour is to depute a security guard.
“Usually, the people visit backwaters for entertainment. The government should take up a new project to develop the banks of Hemavathi reservoir on the lines of KRS,” he added.
Water Crisis in Hassan City
Hassan: Residents in many extensions, including Northern, Sangameshwara, Vijayanagar, Christian Colony, Pragati Nagar, Gowramma Compound and Ravindra Nagar are facing acute water shortage as they are getting Hemavathi water once in four days. Most of the residents have been depending on borewell water for the past one month. The City Municipality is making efforts to supply river water at least once in two days by installing an additional motor pump at jack well near Hemavathi reservoir, sources said. The CMC is supplying drinking water through tankers at the worst hit areas. The situation will further worsen if the rain does not lash with in a fortnight, one of the officials in the CMC said.