Odisha tractor driver hailed as hero after rescuing three women from being swept away in Kalahandi

A tractor driver turned saviour in Kalahandi district when he rescued three women from being swept away by a surging nala on Wednesday evening. The dramatic incident occurred near Chandagiri canal under Thuamul Rampur block’s Adri area, following sudden flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall in the upper catchment.

According to reports, two young women from Badabafala village and a woman from Adri village had taken shelter under a bridge to escape the downpour while working nearby.

Within minutes, a powerful stream of mountain runoff gushed into the canal, catching them off guard. Unable to reach the bank, the three were swept into the current and began shouting for help.

Swift Action Saves Three Lives

Hearing their cries, tractor driver Damu Muduli, who was passing the route, rushed to the spot with help from locals.

Without hesitation, he climbed down under the bridge and, with villagers’ support, managed to pull all three to safety. Eyewitnesses described Muduli’s intervention as timely and lifesaving, calling him a ‘guardian angel.’

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Seasonal Risks In Hilly Areas

The incident, captured in videos shared locally, exposed the dangers posed by flash floods during Odisha’s monsoon season. Residents expressed relief at the safe rescue and praised the courage of the driver, whose quick action prevented what could have been a tragic loss of life.

The report comes after heavy rain lashed Kalahandi, including the hilly Thuamul Rampur and other hilly blocks of the district. Further, successive low-pressure systems have led to increased water in major rivers and waterfalls of the city, with warnings from authorities to avoid streams and water channels.

As of the last reports, all three women were safe after receiving first aid.