Men in khaki turn angels of hope in flood-hit areas of Dakshina Kannada

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district police have rendered extraordinary service during the recent flood relief operations. The have walked long distances on difficult terrain , and rescued several people stranded inside homes due to floods.

Policemen, with the support of locals, have even carried senior citizens to safety, after they were stranded inside their homes as the flood levels kept rising.

The most touching moment was when a team of policemen led by Belthangady sub-inspector Ravi B S and others rescued about 40 people, including 101-year-old Sheenappa Gowda , who was suffering from paralysis , from Makki and Malavanthige villages in Belthangady. At least 10 people from Pajiradka from Kalmanja village in Dharmasthala police station limits were rescued by a team led by police sub-inspector (PSI) Avinash and fire and emergency services personnel. They went in a boat to rescue the people.

At 2.00am on August 9, in Pajiradka of Kalmanja village, eight houses were inundated and 10 people were rescued after the Bantwal Rural PSI Prasanna received information that people were stranded in their homes due to flooding caused by the Netravathi river overflowing. A police team led by PSI Avinash rushed to rescue people from Navoor, Sarapady and Ajilamogaru.

Nearly 15 people, including eight women, were stranded at 1am. In several areas, they used boats to ferry people.

When Kolli bridge was damaged, Belthangady SI Ravi B S and staff undertook temporary repairs by placing sand bags. On receiving information that a senior citizen was not able to walk from Koodabettu in Kukkavu village, a team with the help of locals, carried him for nearly 2.5 kilometres, and ensured the safety of the senior citizen.

Superintendent of police B M Laxmi Prasad said, “Once the flood situation is under control, men involved in rescue operations will be honoured. A lot of civilians also joined hands with us in rescue efforts.”