Jorhat (Assam), 21 July (HS): The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued five people from flood-hit areas of Assam's Jorhat district during a challenging operation in Seleng Ghat near Seleng Tea Estate under the Teok Revenue Circle.

Acting on information received from the Jorhat District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), a rescue team led by Inspector KB Nath and supervised by Deputy Commandant NK Tiwari launched a search and rescue operation on Monday evening. The mission began around 7:35 pm and continued late into the night.

During the operation, rescuers heard cries for help from a submerged house and found a young woman trapped inside with floodwater reaching her neck. She was clinging to bamboo supports beneath the roof to stay alive. NDRF personnel swiftly reached her and brought her to safety before the rising water could prove fatal.

The team also spotted a man being swept away by the strong current while holding onto a banana tree trunk. Using a rescue boat, the personnel successfully pulled him to safety.

After being rescued, the woman informed the team that three other women were stranded nearby, desperately holding onto banana trees to survive the powerful floodwaters. The NDRF immediately launched another search and safely rescued all three.

One of the rescued women, an elderly person, had developed hypothermia after prolonged exposure to cold floodwater. She received first aid from the NDRF medical team at the site before being shifted to a relief camp and later referred to a hospital for further treatment.

The NDRF said the timely information, quick response, and professional handling of the operation helped avert a major tragedy. Rescue and relief operations are continuing in coordination with the district administration to evacuate stranded residents and move them to safer locations.---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash