2 Telangana students die in US after car falls into gorge during California trip
A devastating road accident in the United States has claimed the lives of two young women from Telangana, shattering families and communities back home that were eagerly waiting for their return.
The deceased have been identified as Pulakhandam Meghana Rani (25) and Kadiyala Bhavana (24), both natives of Mahabubabad district in Telangana. The tragedy occurred in California when the car they were travelling in plunged into a deep gorge, killing them on the spot.
According to information received from their families in Hyderabad, the accident took place on Alabama Hills Road around 4 pm local time on Sunday. Meghana and Bhavana were part of a group of eight friends who had gone on a short pleasure trip to California in two separate cars.
The car carrying Meghana and Bhavana, along with two others, reportedly failed to negotiate a sharp curve, veered off the road, and plunged into a valley. While the two Telangana students died instantly, the other occupants sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment.
Both Meghana and Bhavana had travelled to the US in 2023 to pursue a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Dayton, Ohio. After completing their studies, they were actively searching for jobs, hoping to build a stable future.
Meghana hailed from Garla village, where her father, Nageshwara Rao, runs a Mee-Seva centre. Bhavana was from Mulkanoor village, and her father serves as the deputy sarpanch. The news of their sudden deaths has plunged both villages into deep grief.
Family members said they were eagerly waiting for the young woman to settle down and return home. “They had so many dreams. Everything ended in a moment,” a relative said.
The families have appealed to the Central and Telangana governments to help bring the mortal remains back to India for the last rites. Due to financial constraints, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to raise funds for Meghana’s repatriation.
Meghana, fondly called Chikki, is remembered as a kind-hearted and vibrant person. “Her sudden departure has left a void that can never be filled,” the fundraiser note reads, appealing for support to give her a dignified farewell.