Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 19: Four labourers who were trapped in flooded river Tawi, near 4th bridge, were rescued by Indian Air Force (IAF) men by using helicopter here today.
Official sources said though weather was totally clear over Jammu today, yet due to heavy rain in upper reaches of Udhampur, including Chenani and Ramnagar, river Tawi was swollen with sudden flash flood at around 11 am. Many people bathing in the river or involved in fishing activity ran for the safety, but four labourers, hailing from Chhapra district in Bihar and presently residing in Maratha Colony, Trikuta Nagar Extension, Jammu, were trapped in the middle.
As the water level went on rising in the river, they managed to reach closer to the pillars of Tawi Artificial Lake and climbed up with the help of steel pieces (Saria) and remained hanging there for some time. Some people noticed them trapped in the flood and informed Police Control Room, Jammu.
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The District Administration then took up the matter with the Indian Air Force authorities at Jammu. SP South, Vinay Sharma along with SDPO Gandhinagar Ram Singh, policemen and SDRF team reached the site for rescue operation. Incharge Police Post Belicharana, SI Hazara Singh had already reached there with some cops. A large crowed was gathered there to watch this scene. Since the level of water was about 7-8 feet and it was increasing, the SDRF men and cops failed to reach up to the central pillars in the river.
Then Mi-17 Helicopter of the Jammu based IAF unit, took off sortie from Satwari airbase and started hovering over the river Tawi to rescue trapped labourers. Two men were pulled up with the help of ladder while two others slipped and fell into the river. They, however, managed to reach the bank down- stream as they were helped by the NDRF men by using ropes.
SP South, Vinay Sharma said that entire operation was completed by 1.30 pm. The water level also started receding after 2 pm. SP said he along with SDPO Gandhinagar and SDRF team rushed to the spot after receiving information about trapping of four people in Tawi at around 11 am. He said all the four people were rescued by launching prompt operation with the help of IAF. They were fishing there near the piers of abandoned Tawi barrage, he added.
Those rescued were identified as Bali Ram, Jodhan Parsad, Ravinder Parsad and Shri Bhagwan, hailing from Chhapra district of Bihar and now residing in Trikuta Nagar Extension, Jammu.
Another person, Talib Hussain of Udhampur, trapped near Har Ki Paudi Jammu was rescued by police from Tawi by using rope during this afternoon.
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