Heavy monsoon showers in Himachal Pradesh triggered dangerous flash floods across several river basins on Tuesday. In the Sirmaur district, a dramatic five-hour rescue operation unfolded at the Run River in the Verma Papri locality under the Nahan assembly constituency. An elderly resident and a brave young man who attempted to save him found themselves stranded on a small patch of land amidst roaring floodwaters. The high-risk emergency effort culminated around 9 PM when the Indian Air Force (IAF), along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Home Guard personnel, successfully brought both individuals to safety.
A Desperate Attempt to Save Livestock Turns Dangerous
The incident began when Banarsi Das, an elderly local resident of Verma Papri, entered the Run River bed to retrieve his grazing buffaloes. Unbeknownst to him, intense rainfall in the upper catchment areas caused the river's water level to surge rapidly within minutes. Trapped by the sudden onslaught of current, Banarsi Das was forced to take refuge on a small elevated island in the middle of the river. Noticing the senior citizen in peril, Anshul, a young local resident employed with the state's Jal Shakti Department, courageously waded into the violent waters to assist him. However, the swiftly rising floodwaters overwhelmed his attempt, leaving both men trapped together on the isolated spot.
Ground Rescuers Stymied by Currents, Military Aviation Called In
Alerted by horrified onlookers, teams from the local police, Home Guards, and NDRF arrived at the scene with rescue equipment. Despite their immediate response, the violent currents and rising water depth made standard boat or rope rescues impossible without endangering the responders. Recognizing the worsening crisis as night approached, district authorities reached out to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) to request military intervention. An Indian Air Force helicopter was urgently dispatched to the location. Hovering precisely over the raging river, the IAF crew successfully airlifted Banarsi Das from the stranded position.
NDRF Ground Intervention and Official Coordination
Shortly after the helicopter airlifted Banarsi Das, the water flow in the Run River began to recede slightly. Seizing the opportunity, NDRF and Home Guard personnel breached the remaining current to reach Anshul and safely guide him back to the riverbank. BJP State President Dr. Rajeev Bindal remained present at the rescue site throughout the multi-hour operation, coordinating with administrative officials and the Chief Minister to ensure swift logistical support. Details and footage of the heroic act were highlighted on social media in a dedicated post on X, where citizens lauded Anshul for risking his life for a neighbor. Following the successful operation, Dr. Bindal facilitated a video call between grateful local villagers and the Chief Minister to express appreciation for the rescue teams.
