Swift Rescue: Odisha Police Save Stranded Tourists Amid Torrential Rains

In a remarkable overnight rescue, the Odisha Police saved 17 tourists stranded on Gandhamardhan Hills after fierce rains hit the region. The group, including 13 women and four men from Chhattisgarh, had lost direction due to inclement weather conditions, officials reported late Thursday.

The tourist cohort began their trek from Nrusinghnath in Bargarh district on a Wednesday evening, aiming to reach Harishankar in Bolangir district. However, heavy rainfall reduced visibility, causing them to lose their path and remain stuck on rugged terrain, said Niranjan Barik, a police officer involved in the operation.

The swift response by Bargarh district police, who deployed a District Voluntary Force with rescue essentials, was paramount. They reached the stranded trekkers at dawn, providing food and initial medical care before safely escorting them back to safety. The operation witnessed the supervision of SP Prahlad Sahai Meena and a site visit by IGP Himanshu Lal.

(With inputs from agencies.)