Flood situation grim: 31 fisherfolk stuck in Godavari rescued by Navy

RAJAHMUNDRY: Thirty-one fisherfolk — 19 men and 12 women — stuck on the upper cofferdam of Polavaram project in the Godavari in West Godavari district were rescued by Navy, NDRF and police on Friday. They had ventured into the Godavari in 18 mechanised and country boats from Jalaripeta to catch fish upstream of the river. During the return trip, floods forced them to move around Kukkunuru and Velairpadu islands in the last 10 days.

On Thursday night, they entered the river assuming that waters had receded. On Friday morning, they reached upper cofferdam and climbed over it for safety as floodwaters had risen again. They tried to move towards Gandi Pochamma temple on East Godavari side, but floodwaters surrounded the cofferdam.
The Navy deployed a helicopter from INS Dega, Visakhapatnam, to rescue them. The helicopter rescued 12 persons and brought them to Polavaram. A few fishermen were afraid of boarding the helicopter. So, NDRF, State Disaster Response Force and police teams ventured into the river in boats and rescued them.

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