Second body found in Godavari family tragedy; search on for missing woman
The body of K. Sowjanya (38) was recovered from the Godavari river near Komarraju Lanka island on Saturday, police said. She was the daughter of K. Nookaraju, an Assistant Engineer in the Panchayat Raj Department in Pithapuram. The recovery was made during a search operation that has been underway since the family jumped into the river on August 16.
According to the office of East Godavari Superintendent of Police D. Narasimha Kishore, the body was located about 35 kilometres downstream of the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage. Komarraju Lanka, an island in Kothapeta Mandal in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, is covered with dense vegetation and is accessible only by boat, making the search efforts difficult.
On August 16, four members of the family — Nookaraju, his wife Meena (58), Sowjanya and a young grandson — allegedly jumped into the river at Rajamahendravaram. The grandson was rescued by locals. Nookaraju's body was recovered on August 17. With the recovery of Sowjanya's body on Saturday, two members have been confirmed dead, while Meena remains missing.
The body has been sent to the Government Hospital in Rajamahendravaram for post-mortem. Police have not released any information about the possible reason behind the family's act. No suicide note has been found, and the investigation is ongoing.
Multiple teams, including local police, divers and volunteers, are conducting a search for Meena. The authorities have asked the public to share any information that may help trace her.
