Karwar: Two women from Dharwad, who had been to Karwar with their family members to enjoy their Christmas holiday, drowned in Kali river near Dandeli in Uttara Kannada district on Monday. Another woman was rescued.

According to Dandeli rural police, the deceased have been identified as Padmapriya (23), daughter of Arun Patil, and Rajani (22), daughter of Anand Patil from Madihal in Dharwad. Both Arun and Anand are bothers. Anusha, daughter of Lakshman Nikkam, who also drowned with the other two women was rescued by the family members. In all, 13 members of Patil-Nikkam family from Dharwad arrived in Dandeli in two cars on Monday morning. By afternoon, they reached Moulangi falls, 7-km from Dandeli, which is known as a rafting point.

Three women, who did not know swimming, ventured into Kali river. As the water flow was very low, they moved further and drowned when they reached a little deeper point. All three women were rescued by their family members and taken to Dandeli government hospital. But the doctors declared Padmapriya and Rajani brought dead. As Anusha’s condition was serious, she was rushed to Dharwad hospital after being given first-aid in Dandeli.

A case has been registered at Dandeli rural police station.