Two women drown in swollen Kosi river, one still missing

Nainital: Three women, all residents of Chamadiya Tonk in Lohali Gram Panchayat, were swept away while trying to cross the overflowing

Kosi

River in Nainital district on Sunday morning. The women — identified as 30-year-old Kamla Devi, 28-year-old Lata Devi, and 30-year-old Lalita Devi — had gone to the forest to collect fodder for cattle and on their way back, they tried to cross the river which had swelled due to rains. While the bodies of Kamla Devi and Lata Devi were found by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), search is still on for Lalita Devi.

District officials present on the spot told TOI that the accident took place at around 9:30 am. “Kamla Devi’s body was found around 400 metres from where she drowned after almost three hours of search operation and Lata’s body was recovered about 800 metres away from that spot,” said Richa Singh, SDM of Koshya Kutauli. The official added, “The women had gone to the forest across the river to collect grass and leaves for cattle. On their way back, the water level in the river had risen. The women still tried to cross the river and were washed away. Some locals witnessed the entire accident and informed the district administration. Soon after, the police reached the spot.”