Mangaluru/Bengaluru: In a remarkable display of community spirit, five tourists stranded atop the Eragundi waterfall were successfully rescued by local residents, as reported by police on Monday. This incident coincides with the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) announcement that a red alert for coastal Karnataka will remain in effect for the next five days due to ongoing heavy rainfall.
The rescue operation unfolded on Sunday in Paladka, a village situated within the Moodbidri taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. According to police officials, the tourists had ignored warnings from local residents and ventured to the upper section of the waterfall. A sudden rise in water levels in the river left them isolated and in need of assistance.
Thanks to the prompt actions of the local community, ropes were employed to safely bring all five individuals back to safety. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or injuries during the incident.
District authorities had previously issued advisories discouraging visits to waterfalls and hilly areas during periods of heavy rainfall. However, officials noted that some tourists continue to disregard these warnings, posing challenges for both local communities and rescue teams.
The coastal region of Karnataka has been experiencing intense monsoon rains for the past three days, significantly disrupting daily life in Dakshina Kannada district. In response to the adverse weather conditions, authorities have issued a red alert and deployed disaster response teams to effectively manage the situation.
