Madikeri, July 6 -- A major tragedy was averted at the popular Mallalli Falls in Kodagu district after two college students from Andhra Pradesh, who were trapped in the rapidly rising waters of the Kumaradhara stream, were rescued in a timely operation by local villagers and Fire and Emergency Services personnel on Monday.

The rescued students have been identified as Ganesh Naik (21) and Santosh Kumar (23), both residents of Andhra Pradesh. They had arrived at the scenic waterfall along with a group of friends as part of a leisure trip.

According to officials, the two students ignored the safety barricades installed near the waterfall and entered the stream to play in the water. At the same time, water was released from the upstream hyd...