The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : IAF helicopter rescues stranded devotees

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Monday, Sep 15, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

IAF helicopter rescues stranded devotees

Staff Reporter

They were marooned at the Kanakadurga temple located on the Manjira river at Edupayala

The devotees paid no heed to warning issued by the district machinery
The temple was surrounded by water after it was released from Singur

Photos: Mohd. Arif

Timely help: Air Force personnel rescuing stranded pilgrims at Edupayala temple in Medak district on Sunday. (Right) A couple who were rescued with their belongings by a motor boat at Eetigaddasangam near Sadasivapet. -

SANGAREDDY: Ten persons who were stranded at the Edupayala temple in the middle of Manjira river since Saturday night were rescued by an Indian Air Force helicopter on Sunday.

The devotees who visited the Kanakadurga temple were left marooned following the release of water from Singur reservoir which surrounds the temple.

According to district Collector Peeyush Kumar, 10 persons belonging to Gurjakunta village in Bhiknoor mandal of Nizamabad district arrived here on Saturday to visit the temple.

They went inside the temple to stay for the night, crossing two streams flowing before the temple, despite advance warning from the officials that water was released from Singur and it could surround the temple at any time.

The police and revenue officers established contact with them and supplied food and water packets assuring early rescue. The Collector spoke with the authorities concerned and requested the services of an IAF helicopter and they were brought to safety on Sunday.

A team led by Wing Commander D. Singh, Captain Rajesh Isser, Flying Officers Kulkarni and Donge rescued the stranded pilgrims.

The helicopter made five sorties each time rescuing two persons through a ladder. The operation began around 3.15 p.m. and ended at around 4 p.m.

Another two persons -- Ambayya and his wife Sangamma -- who were stranded in the floodwater at Eetigaddasangam near Sadasivapet mandal were also rescued by the officials in time by using a boat belonging to the Forest Department.

YSR pats IAF team

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy complimented the helicopter unit personnel of Air Force Station, Hakimpet for rescuing the stranded persons.

Dr. Reddy, who reviewed the flood situation here was informed by Disaster Management and Relief Commissioner Dinesh Kumar, how the State government and IAF personnel swung into action and rescued the people.

The district officials contacted the Disaster Management Commissioner, who in turn alerted the Central government.

The Union Home Ministry then directed the Ministry of Defence to deploy a helicopter to rescue the stranded persons.

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