Lakhanpur: An 18-year-old girl, who slipped in the waters of the river Mahnadi in Chattisgarh, was miraculously rescued by fishermen in Jharsuguda district Wednesday. The girl, who was identified as Soni Yadav of Jewada under Sarangad police limits in Chhattisgarh district, was carried in the river across 40 km.
The fishermen rescued Soni and admitted her to Lakhanpur community health centre where her condition was stated stable. After being informed of the incident by local police, Soni’s family members along with a police team reached the CHC and were seen crying with joy.
They thanked god, saying, “Nothing can harm when god is there to protect.” The incident occurred while Soni had been to Chandrasini temple Tuesday, she said recounting the horror. Soni opted to wash her hands and feet in the Mahanadi as the temple was situated near the river.
Meanwhile, her feet slipped and she drowned in the water body. She shouted for help but no one was there to rescue her. She tried to swim back but was washed away in the tides. Then everything was blank, she said adding that she cannot recount anything beyond that.
Fishermen Sanyasi Kalo, Santu Sidar, Himanchal Sethy and Mohan Sethy while fishing in Mahanadi spotted Soni was floating in the river and rescued her. They alerted local police who admitted her to Lakhanpur CHC.
The distance from the temple to Kushmel village is nearly 35-40 km. Even though she floated in the river through the night, she is still safe. Everyone in the village was taken by surprise on learning the news.
“I had gone to pray in the temple and god saved me. This is my second birth,” Soni said with tears welling up in her eyes. PNN
