Locals rescue 6 persons caught in floods in daring operation in AP

VIJAYAWADA: Six people including a priest, who went to perform karma kanda (post-funeral rituals), had a miraculous escape after they were caught in flash floods in NTR district. In a heartening development, local people risked their lives to eventually save the six from being washed away in the floods. The incident happened near Penuganchiprolu of the district in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday.

According to reports, one Chaganti Divadeenam died two days ago and five of his family members, along with a priest, went to a hillock located in the middle of stream to perform the post-funeral rituals on Saturday. While they were returning on a tractor, they were caught in the flash floods. To their misfortune, the tractor broke down, endangering the lives of the six persons.

People on the bridge across the stream noticed the six persons frantically shouting for help and swung into a daring rescue operation. They lowered a rope and pulled them up to safety except the tractor driver who made a valiant attempt to save the vehicle. Even when the water levels were rising, he bravely tied the rope around the tractor so that it could be pulled out of the flood water. But with the effort proving futile, a JCB was quickly pressed into service which eventually extricated the ill-fated vehicle.

Everyone heaved a sigh of relief on seeing that all the six persons reached ashore safely. The rescue operation carried out by the local people lasted for well over two hours. It also resulted in a huge traffic jam on the bridge.