Miraculous rescue: biker saved after being washed away by floodwaters in central India
by Aditi VermaIn a dramatic rescue, a man in central India’s Madhya Pradesh was saved after being swept away by floodwaters while crossing a bridge on his bike.
The incident took place at Gram Panchayat Bandha, which connects Dithori village to Nainpur city in Mandla district on August 18.
Visuals showed a man was riding his bike through a heavily waterlogged area where the rainwater current had become extremely dangerous. As he attempted to cross, the powerful flow caused him to lose control and fall off the bike, sending him into the rushing waters. Just as he began to be swept away, a villager noticed the perilous situation. Acting quickly, the villager waded through the floodwaters to reach the man and managed to pull him to safety, rescuing him from the treacherous waters.
Heavy rains have severely impacted several parts of Madhya Pradesh, including Mandla district, with rivers and water bodies overflowing and disrupting daily life. Among the affected areas was a bridge over a stream in Gram Panchayat Bandha, which connects Dithori village to Nainpur city.
A biker, identified as Dheeraj Maravi, attempted to cross the bridge despite the rising floodwaters. Maravi was on his way to Nainpur railway station to pick up his sister.
However, the strong current overwhelmed the bridge, and both Maravi and his bike were swept away. The dramatic incident was captured on video and later circulated online. Fortunately, after being carried some distance by the floodwaters, Maravi managed to grab onto bushes along the riverbank. His precarious situation caught the attention of local villagers, who quickly mobilized to rescue him.
One of the villagers, Sampat Parte, bravely swam through the floodwaters to reach Maravi and brought him to safety. The quick response of the villagers prevented what could have been a tragic outcome.
The incident underscores the dangers posed by the ongoing heavy rainfall in the region, which has left many areas inundated and several villages cut off.
* Non Exclusive Video rights*