A casual family picnic near the Markonahalli Dam on Tuesday ended in disaster after a sudden release of water swept away seven individuals, leaving six missing and presumed dead, and one man critically injured.

The victims, all hailing from B.G. Palya in Tumakuru city, were visiting relatives in Magadipalya, a village near the border of Tumakuru and Mandya districts. After lunch, they headed to the reservoir, unaware of the impending danger posed by the dam’s automatic release system.

While playing in what appeared to be shallow water, seven members of the group including women and young children were caught off guard when the dam’s siphon mechanism activated without warning. The sudden surge of water dragged them downstream with immense force.

Victims Identified, Search Underway

Rescue teams managed to pull out one survivor, 30-year-old Nawaz, who was found entangled in bushes nearby with minor injuries. He is currently undergoing treatment at Kunigal Taluk Hospital.

Authorities have confirmed that two women identified as Sazia and Arbin (reported as Harbeen in some sources), both aged around 40 were found dead later that day. Four others remain unaccounted for: Tabassum (45), Shabana (44), Mifra (4), and Mohib (1).

According to Mandya Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi, the dam’s crest gates opened around 3:30 pm. The family, unaware of the operational mechanisms of the dam, was caught in the powerful discharge.

“None of Us Imagined It Would End This Way”

A relative, mourning the loss, said: “They had come to see us and later planned a visit to the reservoir. None of us imagined it would end this way.”

The search operation, led by personnel from local police, fire services, and professional divers, was halted by nightfall due to poor visibility and resumed early Wednesday morning. Teams from Huliyurdurga and Amruturu police stations also joined the mission.

Dam Mechanism Under Scrutiny

Officials from the Water Resources Department said the automatic siphon system, designed to manage excess water, may have been triggered by a natural spike in inflow. However, an investigation has been ordered to determine the exact circumstances of the sudden release.

Tumakuru Superintendent of Police K.V. Ashok, who visited the location, stated that a formal case has been registered at the Kunigal police station. “The bodies of two women and one injured person, Nawaz, were found. According to family members, four more people — two small babies and two adult females fell into the stream,” he said.

Recurring Pattern of Drownings

This incident has sparked renewed concerns over safety at Karnataka’s reservoirs and rivers. In recent months, similar tragedies have been reported including a drowning during Ganesh idol immersion in the Malaprabha River and another involving three youths at the Tungabhadra River.

Local authorities are now urging the public to remain vigilant when near water bodies, especially during the post-monsoon season when water levels can rise unpredictably.