Indian scientist drowns in river after failing to hear warning sirens

  • Shocking footage captures moment 40-year-old man is swept away by current
  • The victim failed to hear warning sirens about rising water level from a nearby hydroelectric power station
  • Volunteers desperately tried to rescue the stranded father-of-two
  • Others at Chunchanakatte Falls urge authorities to install a siren nearer the site

A 40-year-old Indian scientist drowned in a river after failing to hear warning signal about rising water levels.

The victim, identified as Somashekar, was trapped when the water level suddenly increased after a discharge from a hydroelectric power station upstream near the town of in Karnataka on Sunday.

Though the power unit had sounded the siren and sent a warning signal, many people in the water couldn’t hear it.

Volunteers tried to pull out the victim (right) using rope when water levels increased at Chunchanakatte Falls

The man slipped and lost his footing which caused onlookers to panic as he was pulled away downstream

Volunteers attempted to rush to the 40-year-old's aid

The man slipped and lost his footing which caused onlookers to panic as he was pulled away by the increased current

Dramatic video footage captures the last moments of Somashekar as he struggled in the Cauvery River

Dramatic video footage captures the last moments of Somashekar as he struggled in the Cauvery River

Somashekar, from Haryana, had gone to picnic at the Chunchanakatte Falls — a famous waterfall on the Cauvery River — in Karnataka, along with his wife, two children and a few friends. 

He was in the water with other visitors at the site who started moving out only after they felt the rise in water level.

Several were left stranded however, including Somashekar.

Footage show volunteers rescuing a female tourist from the river using a rope.

They threw the rope at Somashekar who attempted to pull himself out before losing balance and being washed away.

The victim was working as a scientist at the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysuru.

An eyewitness said: ‘Somashekar’s family members and volunteers tried very hard to save him but he lost his grip and was carried away by the strong currents.’

Fire and Emergency Service personnel conducted a search operation but only managed to find his body yesterday.  

Tourists who frequent the Chunchanakatte Falls have urged authorities to install a siren nearer the river to avoid such mishaps.

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