Chennai, 21 February (H.S.) : A somber atmosphere engulfed the banks of the Tamirabarani river after two teenage sisters met a tragic end during a family pilgrimage. The victims, identified as 19-year-old Subbulakshmi and her 14-year-old sister Priya, had traveled from their native village in Tenkasi district along with their parents to offer prayers at a local temple.
The incident occurred when the family decided to take a holy dip in the river near the Kurukkuthurai Murugan Temple. Local witnesses reported that the younger sister inadvertently stepped into a deep section of the riverbed and began struggling against the current. In a desperate attempt to save her sibling, the elder sister rushed into the deeper waters, but both were eventually swept away by the forceful flow.
Emergency services were alerted immediately by distraught family members and onlookers. Teams from the Fire and Rescue Services department arrived at the scene shortly after the alarm was raised to conduct a search operation. After several hours of intensive searching, divers managed to recover the lifeless bodies of both sisters from a downstream location. The remains were subsequently transported to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Police authorities have registered a case regarding the accidental drowning and are conducting further investigations into the circumstances of the tragedy. A senior police official stated that while the river might appear calm on the surface, there are several treacherous spots with sudden depths and swirling currents that pose a significant risk to those unfamiliar with the terrain.
The official urged pilgrims and tourists to exercise extreme caution and strictly adhere to warning signs posted near the bathing ghats to prevent such heartbreaking occurrences in the future.
The local administration is also reviewing safety measures and considering the deployment of additional guards at popular river spots during peak pilgrimage seasons.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
