Dharmapuri districts collector lauds fire and rescue services personnel for rescuing boy from flash floods

DHARMAPURI: Dharmapuri district collector R Sadheesh presented certificates of appreciation to eight fire and rescue services personnel who rescued a 16-year-old boy stranded on a rock in the Thenpennai river during flash floods on Oct 23.The boy, identified as R Rithik from Ammapettai village near Harur, was bathing in the river when the water level increased suddenly. The inflow went up after the total quantum of water being released from Kelvarapalli and KRP dams in Krishnagiri district was increased to 2,500 cusecs from 2,000 cusecs. Locals, who saw the boy stranded on the rock, alerted the fire and rescue services personnel in Harur, who promptly arrived at the scene. The collector noted that firefighters Silambarasan and Krishnamurthy entered the river and rescued the boy while the others provided support during the rescue operation. The collector said the boy had been rescued in a team effort led by Harur fire station officer Manikandan.