30 people lost lives in River Tunga in Sringeri

Swimming in River Thunga at Sringeri can be quite dangerous. As per the statistics available with the Police Department, over 30 people have met a watery grave in the last five years.

Though the river appears to flow calmly, there are a few water currents in the river, which remains unnoticed by the people.

A security guard has been deployed on the banks of River Tunga near Sharada Mutt, to prevent devotees from venturing into the river.

Already, Sharada Mutt, Town Panchayat and the Police Department have mounted warning boards urging devotees not to venture into River Tunga for swimming.

In the past, six people from the family of well-known musician G V Athri were washed away at Ulume. On March 24, four people had met a watery grave at Vidyaranyapura.

Though one can venture into River Tunga from Gandhi Maidan, the Town Panchayat has mounted warning boards on the dangerous current and boulders in the water.

In 2013, five people, in 2014, six people and in 2015, four people have lost their lives by venturing into the water from Gandhi Maidan side.

In spite of the warning boards, people enter into the water for fun. The civic workers who clean the ground warn the tourists from venturing into the water. However, no one listens to them, said civic workers.

Environmentalist Kalkuli Vittal Heggade said, "It is better to have a bath in lodges rather than in the river. Only the locals are aware of the dangerous spots in the river. Even expert swimmers have lost their lives in River Tunga. Youth should pay heed to the warning boards mounted by the local administration."