Boy, 12, falls into open drain hidden beneath floodwaters in Karnataka, dies

Municipal officials and fire brigade personnel launched a two-hour rescue operation using JCB machines to locate the boy. He was then found trapped in the drain and was unresponsive.

In Short

• Rescue operation lasted two hours
• Boy was unresponsive, declared dead at hospital
• Family expressed grief over the incident

A 12-year-old boy drowned after falling into an open drain near his home in Karnataka's Haveri. The incident took place when the boy, identified as Nivedan Basavaraj Gudageri, was playing near his house.

Municipal officials and fire brigade personnel launched a two-hour rescue operation using JCB machines to locate the boy.

He was then found trapped in the drain and was unresponsive. Medical staff at the scene attempted resuscitation, and the boy was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead.

Niranjan Banakar, the doctor who treated Nivedan, confirmed that the boy had already been dead before reaching the hospital.

"As you all know, due to heavy rains, flooded waters were seen on roads, lanes, and drains. While playing, a 12-year-old boy named Nivedan Basavaraj Gudageri fell into the drain on the first cross of Shivajinagar," said Vijay Mahantesh Danammanavar, Deputy Commissioner of Haveri district.

"Despite all efforts, he was declared dead. This is very sad and unfortunate," he added.

Nivedan's grandmother, Savakari, expressed her grief and said, "My grandson went to see the flooded water. He went to buy biscuits, gave biscuits to his sister, and went to see the water."