Couple take shelter on tree for 36 hours to escape flood water

Belagavi: The intensity of the floods in North Karnataka which has reduced the life of thousands of people in 162 villages across 18 taluks to a misery as some 82,207 hectares of land has been inundated  - was captured in this human haiku - Kadappa and Ratnavva, a hapless couple from Kabalapur village on the outskirts of Belagavi city, left clinging to a mango tree for nearly 36 hours as the floodwaters rose over their house and they were forced to seek higher ground.

The district administration  made attempts for two days to rescue them  but failed because of the swift current. The couple  had visited the farm house on Monday night and on Tuesday morning, realised  that they were surrounded by water with Belagavi receiving torrential rain for the tenth day.

Initially, the couple scrambled to the roof  of their dilapidated house after the storm water level increased to 8-10 feet.  But as their home collapsed in the flood waters they climbed  to an adjacent mango tree.  

The NDRF, fire brigade personnel, police and other officials rushed to the spot to rescue them and made several attempts with the help of three fishermen. But the fishermen themselves were trapped in the heavy flow of water though they managed to survive as they could swim, with officials managing to drag them to safety using a rope.

 "The officials had warned the couple not to visit the farmhouse in Ballari Nala situated on the hillock due to heavy rains. They have been staying atop the tree since 11 am, Tuesday", said assistant commissioner Kavita Yogappanavar.

The officials continued the rescue operation using a crane till Wednesday night. Former minister Satish Jarkiholi and police officials are camping on the spot to supervise the rescue.