Balu Chavan (61), who returned to Hulagbal village in Athani taluk to look after his house, is feared to have been swept away by the river Krishna on Wednesday. With the village submerged in the river’s waters, Balu had relocated all his household items to the first floor of his house and had been staying with relatives along with his family for the past 12 days.
Balu returned to the village to check on the jowar and his belongings, and the incident happened while he was crossing the river with his nephew. When his nephew looked back, Balu was no longer visible and is feared to have been carried away by the current. Locals assisted in notifying the police, who initiated a search operation.
