Close shave for 53 sand workers

Srikakulam/Amaravati: In the wake of sudden floods to Vamsadhara river due to rains in its catchment areas in Odisha state, 22 sand-laden lorries, 4 earth movers and 53 sand workers were stranded in the river at Purusottapuram reach in Sarubujjili mandal late on Sunday night. The workers were rescued on Monday morning.

Flood level started increasing in the river from Sunday evening and immediately district collector alerted revenue staff of all Vamsadhara catchment area mandals. But local revenue staff of Purusottapuram failed to alert sand miners. Unaware about floods, sand miners began excavating sand as usual in the river.

Suddenly after midnight they noticed increase in water level in the river. Initially they tried to save themselves by climbing lorries and earthmover cabins but flood level increased and outflow crossed 40,000 cusecs due to release of water into river from Gotta Barrage. Immediately they started shouting, contacted their friends over phone and also informed 108 medical ambulance services.

On learning of it, police and revenue staff reached the spot along with fire safety officials in the wee hours on Monday. Immediately they informed the situation to district higher officials and contacted State disaster response force (SDRF), national disaster response force (NDRF), Air Force and Navy also. Rescue operations started in the early hours.

They brought 53 sand mining workers to the shore first with four boats, later lorries and earth movers. They also rescued 20 goats from the river. By 7 am on Monday, flood water level was 58,751 cusecs and it started receding slowly by noon and the flood water level later receded to 25,000 cusecs. District officials heaved a sigh of relief as the flood level receded.

District Collector K Dhanunjaya Reddy and SP Dr C M Trivikrama Varma monitored rescue works. After completion of rescue operations, regional fire safety officer G Srinivasulu explained that they rescued 53 workers, 22 lorries and 4 earth movers from the river. Total 50 persons participated in the operation from SDRF and NDRF, he explained. State government sanctioned Rs 30 crore to provide facilities at fire stations, he elaborated.

On the occasion, he presented cash rewards for SDRF and NDRF staff who were involved in the operation. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed happiness over the safe return of the sand mining workers. He hailed the efforts of the rescue teams and officials.

Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting with officials concerned through the Real Time Governance centre here. In fact, the Chief Minister monitored the issue right from Sunday midnight onwards, informed officials at RTGS in the Secretariat.