2 die in separate incidents at Medaram

Medaram (Mulugu): In two separate tragic incidents, two young devotees died at Medaram on Tuesday, on the eve of biennial Sammakka Saralamma jatara.

The 22-year-old Battu Vinay, a resident of Maredpally in Secunderabad, drowned in Jampannavagu stream, when he tried to take a holy dip in it. It may be mentioned here that devotees take holy dip in Jampannavagu before they offer prayers at the deities' altars, locally known as gaddelu.

In another incident, Tama Vinod (22) died after he reportedly suffered convulsions near Jampannavagu, it's learnt. Vinod belongs to Dummugudem Mandal in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. His body was shifted to government hospital in Mulugu district headquarters.

The drowning incident comes as a surprise considering the administration's claims to avoid any such mishaps. The authorities deployed 300 expert swimmers alongside the Jampanavagu besides other officials to monitor the safety of devotees taking dip in the stream. The expert swimmers were also provided with life jackets and lifebuoys. It may be mentioned here that the main jatara is to commence on Wednesday with arrival of Saralamma to altar.