An Indian-American woman named Brindha Shunmuganathan from Georgia died at Pismo Beach in California on Saturday. She was with her two children when a big wave knocked them down around 9 a.m. Her family tried to rescue the kids, but Brindha got stuck on rocks and was hit by more waves.
People who saw what happened pulled her out of the water and tried CPR, but she couldn’t be saved. Emergency officers arrived at 9:11 a.m., but despite multiple attempts, she was declared dead at the scene. Authorities are waiting for an autopsy to find out why she died.
The incident occurred during a week of big waves and coastal flooding on the West Coast. The National Weather Service warned about dangerous conditions, with waves up to 16 feet due to a strong El Niño pattern in the Pacific Ocean.
Earlier on December 30, 2023, there was an evacuation warning in Ventura County due to high surf. The waves caused damage, erosion, and water rescues throughout California. Last week, eight people were injured in Ventura County when a rogue wave hit the area.
As a new storm approaches Southern California, forecasters are predicting powerful waves to continue. A high surf advisory is in place for Ventura County, expecting 7- to 10-foot waves, and the Central Coast may see 12- to 20-foot waves. The dangerous surf has already led to injuries and a tragic death along California’s coast.
