Six children drown in State

4 washed away in Krishna near Tadepalli

Six children drowned in two separate incidents in the State on Wednesday.

Four school-going boys in age group of 10 to 14 years met a watery grave at Gundimeda sand reach in Tadepalli mandal on Wednesday after they allegedly drowned in river Krishna. Moving scenes were witnessed on the banks of the river downstream of the Prakasam Barrage, as parents and relatives were seen wailing over the deaths.

Seven boys from Chirravaru village in Tadepalli mandal were reportedly brought to the river by an auto driver. After parking the auto, the auto driver reportedly went to attend nature’s call.

Meanwhile, four children ventured into the river, which was in spate following the massive discharge of water from Prakasam Barrage. Within minutes, they were washed away. The deceased were identified as Tadekoru Siva (14), Neelam Kranthi Kumar (8), Neelam Sasi (8) and Malamanti Dinesh (7). The other children tried to rescue them. Local people too joined in the efforts but since the river was in spate, they could not succeed.

Woman critical

Two children drowned in a water storage tank at Reddipalem village, near Buchireddipalem in Nellore district, and their mother, who tried to save them, is battling for life in hospital.

Parvati has been admitted to the government hospital at Buchireddypalem in an unconscious state, while her five-year-old daughter and four-year-old son died instantaneously, police said.