The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : IAF chopper rescues 5 students in dramatic operation

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

IAF chopper rescues 5 students in dramatic operation

S Venugopal

The youths were marooned in Dundubi, a rivulet in Mahabubnagar district

Mission accomplished: IAF chopper rescuing five youths who were marooned in Dundubi, a rivulet near Pothareddypalli village in Mahabubnagar district, on Wednesday. (Right) The marooned youths.

MAHABUBNAGAR: In a dramatic operation, a Cheetah helicopter of the Indian Air Force rescued five youths who were marooned in Dundubi, a rivulet near Pothareddypalli village of Vangoor mandal in Mahabubnagar district on Wednesday.

They were winched up into the helicopter piloted by Group Captain Rajesh in a difficult manoeuvre after spending six hours on an elevated spot in the 400-metre wide rivulet.

The five youths, Raghavender Reddy, Jagadeeshwar Reddy, Naveen Reddy, Sharath Reddy and Anil Reddy – all Intermediate students of Hyderabad and close relatives -- had come to the village, situated on the banks of the rivulet, to celebrate Dasara.

Water level rises

In the morning, they crossed the rivulet to meet childhood friends in Dasarlapally village which is situated on the right bank of the rivulet. While crossing the rivulet around 11 a.m. the water level rose alarmingly but they managed to reach an elevated spot formed by sand in the middle of the river.

Villagers who noticed their plight immediately informed revenue and police officials, who, in turn, apprised District Collector K. Damayanthi. However, IAF authorities said another two youths, who were crossing the rivulet with them, swam to safety and alerted the authorities.

On learning about the incident, Chief Minister K. Rosaiah asked the Collector to spare no effort in rescuing the youths. Accordingly, the IAF was requested to send a chopper to bring the marooned youngsters to safety. An hour later, the Cheetah helicopter took off from the Hakimpet air base near Hyderabad, 140 km away from the rivulet, and rescued the five youths. Earlier, the district administration made an unsuccessful attempt to bring the students ashore with the help of expert swimmers.

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