Bhubaneswar — In a swift and coordinated operation showcasing exemplary bravery, personnel from the Khariar Fire Station rescued 27 individuals stranded in the surging waters of Birighat River near Daragaon village under Boden block in Odisha’s Nuapada district.
The rescued group comprised 20 males, 4 females, and 3 children.
Initial reports indicated around eight people trapped by the rising river waters due to heavy monsoon rains affecting the region. Rescue teams pressed on with their search beyond the initial scope, successfully evacuating all 27 stranded persons without any loss of life. The operation was completed efficiently through prompt response and teamwork, Odisha Fire & Emergency Services said in a post on X.
This was a part of broader ongoing rescue and evacuation efforts across flood-affected districts in Odisha. State officials are maintaining round-the-clock contact with district administrations to monitor river levels, coordinate localised relief supplies, and rapidly deploy specialised units wherever marooned communities require evacuation.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari has been closely monitoring the situation. Nearly two lakh people have been affected statewide, with around 30,000 in relief camps receiving assistance. Six NDRF teams, alongside ODRAF and fire personnel, have been deployed in vulnerable areas. The worst-hit districts like Bhadrak, Baleshwar, and Jajpur are showing signs of improvement, sources said.