Man rescued after being trapped in Yamuna for two hours, drone used to maintain contact

YAMUNANAGAR: A major tragedy was averted on Sunday in Yamunanagar when 35-year-old Noor Ali, a resident of Fatehpur village in Uttar Pradesh (UP), was trapped in the middle of the Yamuna River while collecting wood during floods near the Tajewala Barrage.Ali had gone into the river to gather logs washed downstream, but due to the strong current and depth, he got stuck with no way to escape. As soon as local villagers saw the situation, panic spread across the area. A large number of villagers gathered on the bank of Yamuna River.According to reports, the incident was first reported to the police by Sachinder Pawar, Tehsil President of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Tikait group).

Soon after, the UP administration rushed a rescue team to the site. Considering the seriousness of the situation, the authorities even explored the option of calling a helicopter from Sarsawa.In the meantime, the rescue team adopted a modern approach by sending a mobile phone to Noor Ali via drone, allowing them to stay in constant touch with him and keep his morale high while waiting for conditions to improve.For nearly two hours, officials and villagers kept a close watch on the river’s flow as the rescue mission continued.

Fortunately, the water level of the Yamuna began to recede gradually, giving rescuers an opportunity to act. Seizing the moment, two brave young men entered the river with an inflated tube and carefully made their way to Noor Ali. With utmost caution, they brought him safely back to the riverbank.After being rescued, Ali expressed gratitude to everyone involved and admitted that venturing into the river during floods to collect wood was extremely dangerous.

For many families living along the Yamuna, selling the logs carried downstream by the current is a source of livelihood—but it comes with life-threatening risks.The incident has once again highlighted the dangers of entering rivers during floods. Authorities have appealed to people not to risk their lives for such activities. Locals widely praised the rescue team and the courageous youths who risked their own safety to save Ali.The dramatic rescue in the raging waters of the Yamuna has since become a major talking point across the region.