Over 80 Tourists Stranded at Muthyala Dhara Waterfalls in Mulugu Due to Surge in Water Flow
In Mulugu district’s scenic Muthyala Dhara waterfalls, a group of more than 80 tourists found themselves stranded and facing adversity when the water flow suddenly intensified on Wednesday. Reports from the local police confirmed that 42 tourists were trapped in the picturesque location, surrounded by the gushing waters.
Responding swiftly to the emergency, the District Disaster Response Force, in collaboration with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local law enforcement, launched a rescue operation at the site. Communication with the stranded tourists was established through mobile phones, and they were advised to maintain a safe distance from the powerful water stream and conserve their mobile battery life to sustain communication during the ordeal.
Superintendent of Police for Mulugu, Gaush Alam, assured the public that all stranded tourists would be brought to safety by morning. He fervently appealed to the distressed visitors not to attempt to cross the forceful stream on their own, emphasizing that rescue teams were already enroute to their location. Instead, the stranded individuals were urged to find higher ground and ensure their mobile phones remained operational to facilitate communication.
Amid the rescue operation, authorities provided encouraging updates and dispatched essential supplies, including food items and rescue equipment, to the stranded tourists. The well-being of those marooned was the utmost priority for the rescue teams. Fortunately, there were no severe injuries reported, except for one young boy who experienced a minor scorpion bite, but he was promptly treated by the medical team on-site.
As the rescue operation unfolded, news of the successful evacuation of all 80 stranded tourists spread, bringing relief to their anxious families and the broader community. The rescued tourists received necessary provisions, such as clean water and medical assistance, ensuring their immediate needs were met.
The unfortunate incident occurred amidst weather warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The IMD’s alert predicted extremely heavy rainfall in these regions until Thursday, attributing the weather pattern to a well-marked low-pressure area over the west-central Bay of Bengal, adjacent to the northwest coast of Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha.
According to the IMD’s forecast, this low-pressure area was likely to intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours. As the depression moved slowly north-westwards along the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coasts, the western end of the monsoon trough was expected to shift further northwards over the following two days. This shift in weather patterns would result in regions like Rayalaseema, Kerala, Mahe of Puducherry, and Karnataka experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall until Friday.
As the rescue mission came to a close, the authorities and local communities remained vigilant, aware of the ongoing weather conditions. Timely action, coordination, and effective communication were critical elements that contributed to the successful rescue of the stranded tourists. The incident at Muthyala Dhara waterfalls serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures and preparedness when venturing into natural settings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
In conclusion, the situation at Muthyala Dhara waterfalls in Mulugu, which left over 80 tourists stranded due to an unexpected surge in water flow, was effectively resolved through the prompt and well-coordinated efforts of the District Disaster Response Force, NDRF, and local authorities. The rescued tourists were provided with necessary provisions, and their health was attended to with due diligence. As the rescue teams concluded their operation, the focus shifted towards monitoring the ongoing weather situation, as the IMD’s warnings of heavy rainfall persisted in various regions. The incident stands as a testament to the resilience and preparedness of the rescue teams and serves as a cautionary tale for individuals seeking adventure in nature’s embrace.