Stranded labour in Vamsadhara River return safely

Amaravati:Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu expressed happiness over safe return of stranded sand mining labour at Vamsadhaara River in Vijayanagaram on Monday. He appreciated the efforts of all the officials involved in rescue operation.

Chandrababu Naidu held a review on it in the early morning with the concerned officials through Real Time Governance Society on Monday here.

Around 50 labourers and lorry drivers with 20 lorries and 4 JCBs entered into river Vamsadhara on July 15 night at 11.30 pm for sand excavation from authorised sand reach at Purushothapuram villlage in Sarbujili mandal and Amudalavalsa PS limits.

Prior info and announcement was done reg 30000 cusecs water release from Gotta barrage. And Revenue and police dept alerted villagers, according to DGP RP Thakur, in a statement on Monday morning.

But the sand labour came from Vishakha area and not aware of water release, he informed.

They got stuck in the water and started shouting around 1.30 am, and climbed on lorrry cabin tops, soon police reached and local officers alerted and subsequently alerted Fire, SDRF, NDRF and Airforce were contacted.

Local fire rescue reached scene at 3.30 am, but waited till day break at 5.10 am for first boat to venture in high flowing river. With help of drone identified exact number held up and their locations.

Fire dept staff with 2 inflatable boats rescued all 53 persons and 20 goats and brought them safely to shore.

Entire operation was successfully executed with coordination of Police, Revenue, Fire and Fisharies department, he added.