Phulbani: The district peoples’ forum Sunday felicitated three men for showing exceptional bravery in saving a woman and her minor daughter from drowning in flash floods in river Salunki here in Kandhamal district.
Even as the fire brigade feared to get into the river, the three put their lives at risk and jumped into the river without a second thought and gave a new life to the woman and her daughter.
The three were Suman Kanhar, Kesab Kanhar and Sibanand Kanhar of Mardeju.
The incident occurred July 20. Salunki had swollen due to torrential rains triggered by low pressure. Meanwhile, the woman Sulochana Kanhar and her daughter Padmini who had come to the district headquarters had to cross the river to reach their village.
However, the flood waters swept them away while they were crossing the river. Locals spotted them getting drowned and alerted the fire tender. However, even the fire personnel feared to get into the water due to huge water flow.
That’s when the three youths came as savers and jumped into the river. With much effort, they rescued the woman and her daughter. Even as the tide was pulling them, the three men managed to get back to the shore.
In the meeting, Khajuripada block chairperson Soudamini Kanhar, lawyer Bijay Krushna Patnaik, peoples’ forum president Radhamohan Mahapatra and others showered the three with praises for their brave act.
PNN