An Indian-origin man from Nebraska was found dead on Sunday after his vehicle was swept away by floodwaters in Sumner County, Kansas, a day earlier. The rescue operation began immediately after the incident on Saturday, but authorities recovered his body only after an extensive search involving multiple emergency agencies.
The victim was identified as 33-year-old Venkatesh Doppalaudi, originally from Andhra Pradesh and residing in Omaha, Nebraska.
According to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the 600 block of South Oliver Road following reports of a submerged vehicle on the west side of the bridge.
Although the vehicle was located, the driver could not initially be found. Search operations were suspended overnight before resuming on Sunday.
Authorities recovered Doppalaudi’s body at 12:19 pm on Sunday, around 1/4 mile downstream from Oliver Road.
Witness saw vehicle enter floodwaters
A witness told deputies they saw the vehicle enter the floodwaters and believed someone remained inside.
The strength and speed of the floodwaters prevented firefighters from the Wellington Fire Department from entering the water to carry out an immediate rescue.
A Kansas Highway Patrol Air Unit and a police drone were deployed to assist in the search operation.
After Doppalaudi was reported missing, his family in India contacted local leaders seeking assistance in locating him.
It remains unclear why he was travelling through Kansas, which has been under severe flash flood alerts following continuous rainfall.
However, a friend said Doppalaudi’s destination was not Kansas. He was travelling from Houston and had chosen a non-toll route and was likely caught in the floodwaters while driving on a local road near Wellington.
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