Shepherds, livestock marooned in flooded mand area in Himachal rescued

Rajiv Mahajan

Nurpur, March 18

Over 400 sheep along with three shepherds, who were marooned in the Mand Myani area in Indora in Kangra district after the sudden release of water in Shah Nehar on Wednesday evening were rescued by NDRF team with the assistance of locals.

The shepherds were grazing their sheep in green pasture in the mand area when suddenly the surrounding area got flooded and the pasture turned into an island. The marooned shepherds raised the alarm.

The locals who initiated rescue informed the local administration and rescued one of the three marooned shepherds. Indora SDM Somil Gautam said he got information at 7 pm yesterday and informed the NDRF team at Nurpur.

He said the administration had no prior information about the release of Shah Nehar water from the authorities concerned. “The NDRF team comprising 26 personnel along with locals started rescue operation at 10 pm and Shah Nehar authorities were asked to stop excess water release during the rescue work. After one-and-a-half hour, the NDRF team rescued two shepherds and suspended its operation in the night,” he said.

The NDRF team resumed rescue operation early this morning and pressed six boats into service to save marooned livestock. All 403 sheep were successfully rescued after six-hour long operation.