Bengaluru: Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramalinga Reddy has directed the Mandya district administration to implement urgent safety measures at Muthathi following the recent tragedy in which five members of a family drowned in the Cauvery river.
Expressing deep concern over the incident, the minister instructed officials to install barricades marking designated “safe zones” in the river to prevent visitors from venturing into hazardous areas. He also directed authorities to put up warning and awareness boards at vulnerable spots and deploy guides to assist and caution tourists.
Reddy emphasised that swimming should be strictly prohibited in the river except in clearly identified safe areas. He asked officials to ensure continuous monitoring and enforcement of safety regulations at the popular tourist destination.
The tragedy, which claimed the lives of five family members in Muthathi, located in Mandya district’s Malavalli taluk, has sparked widespread concern over the adequacy of safety arrangements at riverside tourist spots.
In the wake of the incident, the minister urged the district administration to take immediate steps to safeguard visitors and prevent similar accidents in the future. He also called for heightened vigilance in areas identified as dangerous, particularly during periods of strong river currents and increased tourist footfall.
Officials have been asked to submit a report on the implementation of the safety measures at the earliest.
