Palakkad:  Four people, who were stranded in the middle of Chittoor river, were brought to safety in a daring rescue operation by the fire force team on Tuesday. The youngest member of the team and the woman were rescued in the beginning.

The four, who are Karnataka residents had entered the river, around noon. The group took refuge on top of a rock when the flow of water increased abruptly. A local resident who spotted them quickly alerted the authorities. The water level in the Chittoor river rose due to the release of water from the Moolathara regulator area, following rains in its catchment areas.

The individuals, who were wearing life jackets, were brought to the river bank by fire force personnel using a huge rope. Electricity Minister and Chittoor MLA K Krishnankutty supervised the rescue operation.

"A big salute to the fire force personnel for their exemplary efforts. All the four are healthy," the minister said.
There was an orange alert issued for Palakkad, warning of very heavy rain of 11 cm to 20 cm. Officials said that the necessary warnings had been issued about the possibility of rising water levels due to the rains, urging people living along the Chittoor river to exercise vigil. However, the four persons, all residents of Mysuru in Karnataka, who had come to Palakkad looking for jobs, had stepped into the river unaware of the warnings issued, and got stranded when the water level suddenly rose.

The recent development comes after an entire family was swept away in a waterfall at Bhushi Dam in Pune’s Lonavala area on July 1.