Andhra Pradesh - Others   

Great escape from swirling waters

Staff Reporter

BHADRACHALAM: Eight families, caught in swirling waters of the Godavari in Vararamachandrapuram village, had too long a wait for the rescue teams. It was a harrowing experience for the five children and their parents atop a building.

When the water level in the river was on the rise, the rescue teams approached the families with a request to vacate the place. But all the families preferred to stay in their houses hoping that the water would recede. The launches engaged for shifting them were sent back.

But as the flood level rose, the building began to go under water.

In all, 27 persons were on the rooftop. They realised the impending danger and called for help. Another launch sent to village ran out of fuel and was stranded very close to the building.

A forest guard, M. M. Hussain, who was among those caught in the floodwater contacted the local officials for help, but to no avail. He even contacted the flood control room from his mobile but the launches and helicopters were engaged in other areas and failed to reach the spot. His calls for help were finally responded to at 8 p.m.

A launch reached the building and shifted five of the families to a relief camp four kilometers away. Three more families are however still awaiting help.

Rescue calls

Meanwhile, rescue calls have been pouring in torrent as the flood level in the Godavari is rising. The water level crossed 66.5 feet at the temple town by 9 p.m.

The CWC sources said that there was some let up in the flood flow at Kaleswaram during the day.

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