Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (GA)

Kundapur, Man 25: A nine-year-old girl met water grave after she was swallowed by flood waters at Koppate near Aloor here on Sunday March 23.  She was finally fished out of the water on Monday March 24 evening after almost a day's search.

The deceased has been identified as Mallika (9), daughter of the late Govinda Mogaveera of Koppate-Kenjilanabagilu.  She was studying in third standard in Aloor higher primary school. She was crossing the Sowparnika river along with her mother Ratna and elder sister Ramya when she was washed out by strong current.

While her mother and elder sister were rescued, Mallika was no so lucky.  She had gone to Shirsi feast along with her mother and sister.  On their way back, Ratna had visited her parental at Navunda and were finally on their way back home when tragedy took place at Kappalakattu.

Ratna is familiar with strong currents and tides in the river.  She earns her livelihood by selling shellfish.  Having coped with similar situations earlier, she had got into the waters even though her brother Anand had warned her against doing so.  But she did not budge and got into the river to cross over.

But owing to heavy rains, the water level in the river had risen well above the danger mark, which she failed read.  As a result no sooner they stepped into the river, they were washed out by strong current.  Having seen this, Anand shouted for help.  One Kushala who was working nearby immediately came to the spot and rescued Ratna and Ramya.  But Mallika had already been swallowed by Sowparnika by then.

Byndoor police have registered a case in this regard.