GAYA: Twelve people, including women and children, were rescued in the early hours of Thursday after a sudden surge in the Falgu river’s water level near Kirani Ghat in Gaya. Two individuals are feared to have been swept away in the strong current, following two days of intermittent rainfall.
The dramatic rescue took place under the six-lane bridge over the Falgu, where the group—believed to be a nomadic family—had taken shelter for the night near one of the bridge’s pillars. Around 3 AM, the river rose rapidly, trapping them in the swirling waters.
“Hearing their screams for help, locals rushed to the spot,” said Santosh Kumar, a resident of the area. “They threw down a rope from the bridge and instructed the trapped individuals to hold on. People were pulled up one by one.”
Soon after, a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team arrived on the scene and helped bring the remaining members to safety.
Kumar Pankaj, Additional District Magistrate (Disaster Management), confirmed the rescue operation. “At least 12 people were saved from the sudden surge. They were not local residents and were living in the area temporarily,” he said. “After being rescued, they moved on to another location.”
Authorities are continuing efforts to trace the two missing individuals, feared to have been carried away by the swift waters. The incident has raised concerns over the safety of vulnerable communities living near the riverbanks, especially during the monsoon season.
