Reasons galore for the mishap

Rajamahendravaram: Though the exact reason is not known for the boat mishap in Godavari river on Sunday after, the officials are assessing some reasons for the drowning of launch.

It is feared over 30 boat passengers and crew feared drowned in the mishap. Over loading, inexperienced drivers, Heavy flow of flood water, river curves and improper assessment of speed could be reasons for the ghastly accident.

According to information, the mishap area is a dangerous accident prone zone with many curves and depth of 250 feet. Water flows is also very heavy as the river width is less near Devipatnam mandal. Driving of boat by inexperienced drivers also one of the reasons for the tragic accident.

Two drivers Sangadi Nukaraju and Tamaraju are inexperienced drivers and could not handle operation in the swirling waters. Over 5 lakh cusecs of water was flowing in Godavari when mishap occurred, i.e. the launch tilted and drowned.

The mishap occurred when the boat passengers were preparing for the lunch in the afternoon. Some survivors said some passengers have removed the life jackets to take lunch and the mishap occurred at that time. Had some passengers have not removed the life jackets, the death toll could have less, said one of the survivors, who was treated at Ramapachodavaram hospital.

Another important reason for the mishap is the driver could not assess the speed of the flood water. Careless driving and no control over the steering also said to be the reasons for the mishap.

The survivor said the mishap was occurred when they were preparing to have a lunch and it took place between 1.20 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. Over loading of passengers could be reason for the mishap.

The capacity of the launch was only 40 including the crew. But, more than 60 passengers and crew were on the board when the launch drowned in the swirling waters of Godavari.