Darjeeling: Four youngsters had a narrow escape after their Mahindra Thar became stranded in the swollen Balason River in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district on Tuesday evening. Swift action by local residents, who risked their own lives to carry out a rope rescue, ensured all four were brought to safety without injuries.
The incident occurred at Dudhia, a popular picnic destination along the Balason River, where two men and two women had driven their SUV into the riverbed.
Sudden rise in river traps SUV
According to reports, the group was attempting to drive across the river when heavy rainfall in the surrounding hills caused the water level to rise rapidly. The Mahindra Thar soon became trapped midstream, leaving the occupants with no option but to climb onto the vehicle’s roof.
Videos from the scene showed the four stranded atop the SUV as the river continued to swell, while anxious onlookers gathered along the banks.
Locals launch daring rescue
Without waiting for emergency responders, local residents quickly organised a rescue operation using ropes. Braving the strong current, they guided each of the stranded occupants safely back to shore.
During the rescue, one of the women briefly lost her footing and was swept away by the current. However, rescuers managed to pull her back to safety within moments. All four escaped the ordeal without any reported injuries.
IMD warns of more heavy rainfall
The incident comes amid warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has forecast very heavy rainfall across parts of West Bengal due to a low-pressure system over the north Bay of Bengal.
The weather department has cautioned that intense rainfall could trigger landslides in the Darjeeling hills and lead to sudden rises in river and stream water levels.
The Balason River has swollen repeatedly this monsoon. Last month, a temporary hume pipe bridge at Dudhia was damaged after rising waters disrupted connectivity between Siliguri and the Mirik subdivision. The temporary structure had been built after the original Dudhia iron bridge was washed away earlier this year.