Madhya Pradesh: 11 Dead, 45 Rescued From Sultan Garh Waterfalls in Gwalior

The rescue operation is underway to save other stranded.

New Delhi, Aug 16: At least 45 people were rescued from Sultan Garh Waterfalls in Gwalior’s Shivpuri after water level increased due to release of water from a dam, news agency ANI reported.  Talking to ANI, Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Hingankar “We have rescued 40 people & 5 people were rescued earlier by a helicopter. All these 45 people are safe now.”

A team of National Disaster Response Force is involved in the rescue along with the state police. The helicopter, in its first sortie, rescued five persons who were stranded on a rock in the water downstream. A rescue operation is underway.

We have rescued 40 people & 5 people were rescued earlier by a helicopter. All these 45 people are safe now: Rajesh Hingankar, SP on rescue operations in Shivpuri. #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/5TsmFvcPNY

— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018

Madhya Pradesh Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia who was also present at the spot congratulated the administration for acting swiftly and rescuing people. “As of now, we do not know how many people have been washed away. I would like to congratulate the administration for acting swiftly and rescuing people,” Scindia said.

Both Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took to their Twitter handles and assured Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to provide all the necessary assistance to rescue stranded people.

As of now, we don’t know how many people have been washed away. I would like to congratulate the administration for acting swiftly & rescuing people: #MadhyaPradesh Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia on rescue operations in Shivpuri pic.twitter.com/s3ArGiNWky

— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2018

“Spoke to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri @ChouhanShivraj regarding the situation in Shivpuri district. NDRF has already been pressed into service to save those who are stranded. The efforts are on to save everyone. I have assured him of all possible assistance from the Centre,” Singh tweeted.

Spoke to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri @ChouhanShivraj regarding the situation in Shivpuri district. NDRF has already been pressed into service to save those who are stranded. The efforts are on to save everyone. I have assured him of all possible assistance from the Centre.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 15, 2018

Sitharaman, on the other hand, wrote, “Hon CM @ChouhanShivraj spoke about the situation in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. Assured him on extending necessary assistance. Instructed @IAF_MCC to respond in time. Will monitor it from our end. @nstomar”

Hon CM @ChouhanShivraj spoke about the situation in Shivpuri,Madhya Pradesh. Assured him on extending necessary assistance. Instructed @IAF_MCC to respond in time. Will monitor it from our end. @nstomar

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) August 15, 2018

“Shri @nstomar called and spoke from the site where an emergency situation prevails. Sought help in rescue. Referred to the conversation with @CMMadhyaPradesh @ChouhanShivraj and assured Shri @nstomar too. @IAF_MCC in loop,” she added.

On Wednesday, 11 youth had drowned following an increase in water level. A helicopter was earlier used to locate the missing people. The Madhya Pradesh police were also present at the spot for the rescue operation.

Sultan Garh Waterfalls is a popular picnic spot situated amidst rocks in Shivpuri.  The waterfall is near Mohana village, 55 km from the district headquarters, in an area bordering Gwalior district. Tourists had thronged the place today due to the Independence Day holiday.

There was a sudden surge in the water around 4.30 pm, possibly due to heavy rain upstream, catching those bathing in the waterfall unawares, police said quoting the locals.

(With agency inputs)