Woman dies after car with Andhra Pradesh family zooms into rain-flooded Bengaluru underpass

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the kin of the woman and free treatment for those admitted to the hospital.

BySouth First Desk

Published May 21, 2023 | 7:17 PMUpdatedMay 21, 2023 | 8:50 PM

Bengaluru flood

A 22-year-old woman died in Bengaluru after the car her family was travelling in zoomed into a flooded underpass.

Sudden heavy rains accompanied by hailstones on Sunday, 21 May, flooded parts of Bengaluru, including the notorious KR Circle underpass.

The 22-year-old, identified as Bhanurekha, was among the seven people travelling in a car that almost submerged in the water that had flooded the underpass.

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Rescued from neck-deep water

Fire and emergency services personnel along with citizens rescued the family from the car when it was in neck-deep water. The 22-year-old was rescued in critical condition.

All seven members were rushed to St Martha’s Hospital nearby but the young woman succumbed later.

Emergency service personnel on the ground said the driver of the car, without realising the depth of the water stagnated at the underpass, tried to zoom past but the car stopped in the middle and almost submerged.

Soon people sitting inside the vehicle came out to save themselves in neck-deep water.

The family, from Hyderabad, was travelling in a car amid heavy downpours and hailstorms on Sunday afternoon.

Due to the downpour, the water level started increasing.

As the family started crying for help, people nearby rushed to their rescue. They threw sarees and ropes to help them remain afloat. Those trapped tried to climb up but failed.

While two of them were dragged out by the swimmers of the emergency services personnel, others were brought out using a ladder.

Even as the emergency service personnel were trying to pull out those near the car, two more auto rickshaws too zoomed into the water.

All those affected were quickly reached out to by emergency response personnel.

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Siddaramaiah reacts

Learning about the incident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rushed to the hospital and took stock of the situation.

He announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and free treatment for those admitted to the hospital.

“The family from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh had hired a car and come to see Bengaluru. Bhanurekha works in Infosys. Due to the downpour, the barricade at the underpass fell down and the driver took the risk of crossing the underpass, which he should not have,” Siddaramaiah told reporters.

When reporters who were covering the incident complained that doctors refused to treat Bhanurekha, who was alive when she was taken to the hospital, Siddaramaiah said he will get it investigated and initiate action.