In a dramatic rescue operation, eight people, including poultry farm owner Dharmudhar Bag and seven workers, were saved after being trapped overnight on a rooftop near the Birighat river in Khariar block of Nuapada district.
Continuous rain triggered by a low‑pressure system and the opening of five gates of Tikhali Dam on Wednesday led to a sudden surge in river water, inundating the farm and cutting off escape routes. The group climbed onto the roof around noon Wednesday and spent the entire night stranded as floodwaters rose.
Local officials, including Khariar BDO Milan Kanu Jhankar and Additional Tahasildar Sudhanshu Shekhar Majhi, dispatched fire services at 1 AM, but strong currents prevented immediate rescue.
At daybreak Thursday, a team from Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (DRAF) arrived from Balangir and successfully evacuated all eight individuals using boats. Additional District Magistrate Subhash Chandra Rait, Deputy Collector Surmi Soren, and local police supervised the operation.
“We couldn’t understand anything when the water suddenly rose. We climbed to the roof to save our lives and spent the night in fear. The administration and DRAF team saved us,” said one of the rescued workers.
Officials confirmed that all victims are safe and that the farm owner will receive government assistance for losses. Residents along the riverbank have been urged to remain alert as water levels continue to fluctuate.
The swift, coordinated response by Odisha’s disaster teams has been hailed as a model of efficiency and courage, preventing what could have been a major tragedy.
