It is heart-wrenching news that 7 persons including 5 girls have drowned in a river near Cuddalore.Navanitha, daughter of Mohan of Kuchipalayam in Panuruti taluk, and their relative Haripriya wife of Kunal went to the Gedilam river on Sunday along with Priyadharshini and Dhivyadarshini daughters of their relative Rajaguru of Kurinjipadi who had visited their home.
Two years back a check dam was constructed across the river in the area. As sand was removed for this in the middle of the river, the part was deep and heavily silted.
Priyadharshini and Dhivyadarshini reportedly went into the deep part of the water and were caught in the silt. Navanitha and Haripriya who tried to help them also trapped in the silt. Hearing their cries for help, three girls Sumadha, Monisha, and Sangavi who were also standing in the area got into the water and tried to help the others who were caught in the deep. They were also reportedly trapped.
On hearing the news the villagers got into the river and tried to rescue the girls. One after the other they lifted the seven girls and admitted them in the Government hospital but all the seven had died the doctors declared.A pal of gloom descended on the villagers following the tragedy. Haripriya was married only a month back. M.R.K Paneerselvam, Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare visited the hospital and expressed grief and condolences to the family members of the deceased.
Failure to fill the pits dug during the check dam construction is said to be the cause of the tragedy. The Government should ensure that such incidents should not happen in the future, Dr. Anbumani Ramdoss, PMK President has said.