Man Drowned in Colorado River Was Known as Kind and Family-Oriented

Tragic Drowning in the Colorado River

Two individuals lost their lives in a tragic incident that occurred in the Colorado River. The victims, identified as Anoop Gankidi, 32, and Venkata Mukkaala, 32, were part of a group that went into the water to cool off during a pontoon boat outing on August 3. According to law enforcement authorities, the event took place near Topock Gorge, where the river is known for its calmer waters at the beach area.

Anoop Gankidi, originally from Hyderabad, India, had moved to the United States several years ago to pursue a master's degree in computer engineering at California State University. He later settled in Tempe, Arizona, where he worked as a computer engineer. Gankidi was married and described by his friend and former college roommate, Ravideja Vallepalli, as a friendly and family-oriented individual who enjoyed outdoor activities such as hiking. Vallepalli shared a story about how Gankidi once drove from Phoenix to Orange County to pick up friends for a party in Reno, Nevada, and then returned them all the way back before heading home.

The two men were among a group of five people who entered the water on the day of the incident. According to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office, three individuals slipped underwater and began to struggle. One managed to return to the shallow area, but Gankidi and Mukkaala did not resurface. The sheriff’s office noted that while the Colorado River has a fast-moving current, the beach area where the incident happened is typically calmer. However, there is an underwater ledge that drops off sharply in this location, which may have contributed to the men being swept under the water.

No one on the boat was wearing a life jacket, according to Anita Mortensen, a spokesperson for the Mohave County Sheriff's Office. The incident occurred near Topock Gorge, which is located north of Lake Havasu and south of Interstate 40 on the Arizona-California border.

The Mohave County Sheriff's Office Division of Boating Safety received a call around 2:15 p.m. on August 3 regarding the drowning. Those who reported the incident said they had been approached by another boat’s occupants who mentioned that two men had gone underwater at the beach area and had not resurfaced. A diver from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office arrived first and located one of the missing men, followed by the second.

Lifesaving efforts were performed on both men, who were transported to the Colorado River Medical Center in Needles, California, where they were pronounced dead. The men had been submerged for approximately 20 minutes when the divers arrived, and they were found in about 12 feet of water. The sheriff's office confirmed that impairment was not a factor in the drownings.

Understanding the Risks

While the Colorado River is often seen as a safe place for recreational activities, the presence of hidden dangers such as underwater drop-offs can pose serious risks. This tragedy highlights the importance of safety measures, including the use of life jackets, especially in areas where the water conditions can be unpredictable.

As the community mourns the loss of two individuals, the story of Anoop Gankidi serves as a reminder of the value of life and the need for vigilance when engaging in water-related activities. His friend Vallepalli described him as someone who loved traveling, making friends, and cherishing family time, emphasizing the impact of his passing on those who knew him.