Times News NetworkKhargone: A major tragedy was averted near Barwaha in Khargone district on Sunday evening after three youths from Indore, stranded in swollen Choral river, were rescued by local residents using improvised ropes made from belts, handkerchiefs and cloth.The incident occurred around 6 pm near Chaudapat on the Siddhavar Koot Road, about 5km from Barwaha. The three youths had reportedly gone to the riverbank for a picnic when the water level rose suddenly following heavy rainfall in the upstream areas.As the river swelled rapidly, the trio were stranded in the middle of the river with no safe route back to the bank. Eyewitnesses said the water level rose from knee-deep to above waist level within minutes, while the strong current made any attempt to swim across impossible.Locals Shiv Muvel and Anil Kevat, who were passing through the area, heard the youths calling for help and immediately rushed to the spot. Their cries also drew the attention of other passersby, who joined the rescue effort.The volunteers collected ropes from nearby vehicles and tied together belts, handkerchiefs and pieces of cloth to create a longer rescue line. Standing on a culvert about 12 feet above the river, they threw the improvised rope nearly 15 feet towards the stranded youths.The rescuers first pulled two of the youths to safety. However, while rescuing the third, the handkerchief tied to the rescue line tore apart, causing him to fall back into the fast-flowing river. Despite the setback, the volunteers quickly reinforced the makeshift rope with additional belts and cloth and made another attempt, successfully bringing the third youth to safety.The rescue operation was carried out by Shiv Muvel, Anil Kevat, Ali Qureshi, Fardeen Khan, Sameer Sheikh, Salman Sheikh and Shah Rukh Sheikh, whose courage and presence of mind prevented what could have been a fatal incident.After being rescued, the three Indore youths thanked the local volunteers for saving their lives before leaving for their hometown.Following the incident, local authorities appealed to the public to stay away from rivers, streams and waterfalls during the monsoon season, warning that water levels in rivers such as the Choral can rise dangerously within minutes due to heavy rainfall in upstream areas.
