Malkangiri: In a dramatic rescue operation, a man stranded for around 24 hours on a rock in the middle of the Saberi River on Odisha-Chhattisgarh border was airlifted to safety on Monday.
The man has been identified as Irma Sodhi of Kotamateru village in Malkangiri district.
Sources said Irma had travelled to Telawarti village in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district for daily wage work. While returning home in a traditional wooden boat, the vessel capsized midstream.
With no help in sight, Irma clung to a submerged tree branch through the night, braving the river’s strong currents. At daybreak, he managed to climb onto a nearby rock, where he remained stranded.
Local villagers spotted him and alerted the Malkangiri police and fire services. After getting information about the incident, MLA Narsingh Madkami informed the state government and coordinated with Chhattisgarh authorities to arrange a helicopter.
Finally, helicopter of the Indian Air Force arrived from Jagdalpur at the scene and successfully airlifted Irma to safety. He was rushed to hospital and is reported to be stable.