Indian techie swept away in Kansas flood

Houston: An Indian IT professional died after his vehicle was swept away in flash floods in Kansas, US, authorities said. Venkatesh Doppalapudi, 33, an H-1B visa holder from Omaha, Nebraska, was driving home from Houston on Saturday when his vehicle was caught in floodwaters triggered by severe storms that dumped over 6 inches of rain in south-central Kansas.

The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office said eyewitnesses reported a vehicle submerged near a bridge close to Wellington with a person trapped inside. Strong currents prevented the rescuers from entering the water. Doppalapudi’s body was recovered on Sunday.

The Consulate General of India in Houston expressed condolences and said it was coordinating with authorities and the family to facilitate the repatriation of the body.