TIRUPATI: Four children from Vidavalur mandal who were stuck in the floodwaters of River Penna were rescued by the Nellore police on Saturday.
The children were crossing the river between Mudivarthi and Nidumusali villages in Nellore district when the water level started increasing after the crest gates of Somasila reservoir were lifted to release excess storage water downstream.
According to the Vidavalur police, four students identified as B. Mani (6), K. Praveen (12), B. Abhilash (12) and B. Anil (18), all hailing from Kancharapalem and Utukuru of Vidavaluru mandal, were crossing the river to reach Nidumusali from Mudivarthi when they got stuck in floodwaters.
The four children were stranded for about an hour with the water swirling about the bank they were standing on. Observing them, a passerby informed the Vidavalur police, who immediately rushed to the spot and launched an operation to rescue the children.
The police brought in two boats and shifted all the four children to safety as expert swimmers stood guard. The four crossed the river on the boat in a single file and reached the bank safely.
The parents of the four children thanked the police for responding swiftly and rescuing them. Superintendent of Police Ch. Vijaya Rao appreciated the efforts of Vidavaluru police for their swift action in saving the children.
