A group of tourists from Hyderabad were stuck in a perilous situation when their SUV plunged into a stream in the Kuruppanthara area of Kerala’s Kottayam district. The incident unfolded on Saturday (May 25) morning as the group, comprising three men and a woman, was en route to Alappuzha, relying solely on Google Maps for navigation.
Fortunately, the tourists emerged unscathed from the ordeal, thanks to the timely intervention of police personnel and local residents who promptly came to their rescue. Even as there was no injuries, their vehicle remained submerged in the stream and efforts were made to retrieve it.
The ill-fated journey took a turn for the worse as heavy rains in Kerala caused water to overflow onto the roads, obscuring its visibility. Tragically, the driver, entrusting complete faith in the navigation app, inadvertently drove the vehicle straight into the water body.
Responding swiftly to the distress call, a nearby police patrolling unit and concerned locals mobilised to assist the stranded tourists. This averted any potential catastrophe.
Earlier mishaps due to Google Maps Â
This incident is similar to earlier mishaps which highlights the pitfalls of overreliance on navigation technology.
Earlier this year, in Tamil Nadu’s Gudalur, another group of travelers fell victim to Google Maps. It led them onto a staircase during their journey back to Karnataka.
Regrettably, the consequences of such misadventures can be dire, as evidenced by a tragic incident last year in Kerala, where two doctors lost their lives after following Google Maps into a river.
Both 29-year olds Advaith and Ajmal were killed in the accident, while three others sustained injuries.
Authorities, in a post on Sunday (May 26), warned against blindly trusting technology for navigation.Â
“Google Maps may lead to impassable roads with overflowing streams, landslides, fallen trees, narrow roads, and dangerous roads where smooth movement is not possible,” cautioned the police, as reported by PTI news agency.
With road conditions often changing due to natural disasters like floods and heavy rainfall, the police underscored the limitations of navigation apps in providing real-time information on diversions and hazards.Â
(With inputs from agencies)