Four women devotees saved at Vodarevu beach

Vijayawada: Police personnel saved four women devotees from drowning when they were immersing their Ganesh idol in the sea at Vodarevu beach in Bapatla district.

Bapatla SP Vakul Jindal said the women had arrived from Chilakaluripet to Chirala Vodarevu on Thursday evening to immerse their idol of Lord Ganesha. Suddenly, a high wave hit them and they started drowning in the sea.

Witnessing this, on duty head constable S. Prasad, constables S. Chiranjeevi and A. Naresh, apart from home guard V. Pothuraju jumped into the sea and brought the women to the shore safely.

The SP said in view of the Ganesh immersion season, pilgrims are coming in large numbers to Suryalanka, Vodarevu and Ramapuram beaches in Bapatla district. They have thus stepped up vigil at these beaches under the supervision of Kothapatnam Marine circle inspector K. Srinivasa Rao and sub-inspector P. Subba Rao.

Vakul Jindal advised devotees to be careful and adhere to the guidelines stipulated for the immersion of idols.