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Madhya Pradesh: 11 people washed away while bathing in Shivpuri waterfall, 45 rescued

News Nation Bureau New Delhi Updated on: 16 Aug 2018, 07:55 AM

At least 11 people were feared dead after being washed away while they were bathing in a stream near Sultangarh Waterfall in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. As many as 45 others, who were stranded downstream after the sudden rise of water level, were rescued by the teams of Police, BSF, SDRF and the Navy.

“We have rescued 40 people and five people were rescued earlier by a helicopter. All these 45 people are safe now,” ANI quoted Shivpuri district Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajesh Hingankar as saying.

The helicopter, in its first sortie, rescued five persons who were stranded on a rock in the water downstream, while two more were saved by locals. So far, no bodies have been recovered.

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The water in Shivpuri is a famous picnic spot in the area. People washed away had gone there for a picnic on Independence Day holiday. Heavy downpour in the area was possibly the reason behind the sudden increase in the water level.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan personally monitored the rescue operation. His cabinet minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia congratulated the local administration for “acting swiftly” to rescue 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,” ANI quoted Scindia as saying.

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Senior Congress leader and Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia also spoke to senior officials over the phone and inquired about the rescue operations.

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First Published : 16 Aug 2018, 07:29 AM

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