Team Herald
PORIEM: Tension rent the air at Charavane-Sattari, as it took a joint operation by three departments to rescue 47 students and five teachers from a Siolim higher secondary school, who found themselves stranded during a trek at the waterfall, on Monday, due to sudden rise of water levels following heavy rains.
On receiving information about the incident, the fire and Emergency Services, Forest Department and Valpoi Police officials rushed to the spot and launched the rescue operation. The students were pulled out from the water and brought through alternative routes by the officials.
When contacted, Valpoi fire officials said that they received a call at 3.45 pm informing them that students from St Francis Xavier Higher Secondary School, Siolim, who had come on a trek at Charavane waterfall, were left stranded due to the rise in water levels.
“The Fire and emergency team headed by Station Fire officer Santosh Gawas immediately rushed to the spot and rescued all the students including the teachers,” said an official.
The fire personnel further said that there were in all 47 students and five teachers, who were rescued in a joint operation by the three departments
“In the morning, when we reached the waterfall, the water level was very low, but in the afternoon, while returning back, the water levels suddenly increased following heavy rainfall, making it difficult for us to cross the river,” said a group of students, who were rescued by the officials.
The locals from Charavane said that they also rushed to the spot and assisted the fire and forest officials in the rescue operation.
The residents of Charavane have appealed to the people not to visit waterfalls during heavy rainfall.