बारिश से बाढ़ में फंसे श्रीकालहस्ती के 22 लोग, रेस्क्यू जारी

Nearly 48 hours of ordeal Despite officials issuing storm warnings, the streams and rivulets continued to swell and flood for three days. A group of 15 people from Srikalahasti town went to the dense forest area of Battineyyakona to pluck tender shoots, They got trapped there due to heavy rains. On Monday, Chilaka Gopi from Srikalahasti returned home after collecting shoots and tying them into bundles. The remaining group planned to stay there overnight on Monday and return on Tuesday. However, by Tuesday morning, floods caused by the rains surged, leaving them stranded with no way to go. They had to walk about two kilometers through the forest, followed by a path with steps going uphill. By Tuesday morning, when the group was concerned about why Gopi had not returned yet and tried to call him, there was no signal, and communication was lost. Their worry increased, and local villagers were informed. As this information went viral in the media, officials, forest department staff, and Tahsildar Bhargavi with revenue officials rushed to the location to attempt a rescue. There are about 15 people from Srikalahasti and others from nearby areas, totaling 22. Officials are trying to get those stranded beyond the floodwaters across safely using ropes to the side where the young people are.