Shivamogga: A tourist from Bengaluru lost his life at Talasi Abbi Falls on Sunday, while attempting to take photographs in Yadur, Hosanagar taluk. His friends witnessed the incident, and footage of the drowning circulated swiftly online. Nagara police subsequently recovered his body, which got stuck in rocks below the waterfall.Hosanagara police identified the victim as Ramesh,35, who worked as a manager at a private firm in Nagarabhavi, Bengaluru. Ramesh travelled with five friends on Sunday to the location. The waterfall, situated within a dense forest, is typically restricted to visitors during the monsoon, when water levels exceed safety limits.Ramesh lost his footing and was swept away. A viral 20-second video documents his final moments, showing him perched on a rock at the waterfall’s edge, raising his hands triumphantly before descending. The footage captures him being carried away by the strong current, and his friends’ distressed screams can be heard.Following the incident, authorities retrieved Ramesh’s body from the base of the falls. Local police conducted an inspection of the site and initiated formal documentation at the station.Despite the waterfall’s scenic beauty, the forest department has implemented protective measures, including trench construction. However, visitors continue to access the site, located approximately 100km from Shivamogga, often aided by local residents, despite safety warnings. Shivamogga SP GK Mithun Kumar said that Nagara police have registered a case.
