Madikeri: Two Engineering students from Bengaluru had a narrow escape after they ignored safety barricades and ventured into the waters at Mallalli Falls in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu district, only to be stranded when the water level rose suddenly yesterday. 

The 23-year-old students, Santhosh Kumar and Ganesh Nayak, both final-year B.Tech students from Ananthapur district in Andhra Pradesh, were rescued in a timely operation by Mallalli Falls Tourist Mitra S.N. Nagendra, residents and Fire and Emergency Services personnel. 

The duo had travelled to the popular tourist destination with three friends from Bengaluru. The incident occurred between 10.30 am and 11 am when the group visited the waterfall. 

Despite warning signs and a mesh barricade installed to prevent visitors from entering hazardous areas, Santhosh and Ganesh climbed over the protective fencing and walked into the stream near the base of the falls. They reportedly ventured onto slippery rocks to take photographs. 

Rescue efforts 

According to Nagendra, the water level was relatively low when the students crossed into the restricted area. However, with heavy rain in the Western Ghats, water was suddenly released from an upstream check dam into Kumaradhara River, causing the flow to increase rapidly and leaving the two stranded on a rocky outcrop in the middle of the stream. As they were unable to return to the bank, their friends alerted residents, who in turn informed the Fire and Emergency Services Department. 

Nagendra, along with residents, quickly arranged heavy ropes from a nearby house several kilometres away. With the assistance of 3 other tourists, the rescue team lowered ropes to the stranded students, who tied them around their waists before being pulled safely to the riverbank.  

Fire and Emergency Services personnel reached the spot shortly afterwards and completed the rescue operation. Somwarpet Tahsildar Krishnamurthy was present at the site. 

Police were informed about the breach of safety regulations. The two students were taken to the local Police Station for questioning, warned against violating safety norms and later let off.