Bhopal: A minister within the Madhya Pradesh government who had gone to assist people stranded at a flooded area within the state himself got stuck and he had to be airlifted.
State Home Minister Narottam Mishra while on a survey of flood-hit Datia district found nine people stranded on a roof, surrounded by water. The house apart from the terrace was completely submerged. Mr Mishra is an MLA from an equivalent area.
On seeing them, Mr Mishra, who was on a ship of the State Disaster Response Force along side some relief workers, managed to succeed in the people, despite high winds and choppy water.
Just before the minister could make arrangement for rescuing the stranded people, a tree broke off and fell on the boat, after which the motor couldn’t start, a politician said.
Soon, Mr Mishra sent messages to officialdom after which a helicopter of the Indian Air Force was sent to rescue him and nine others, the official said.
The minister first ensured that each one the stranded people were rescued and then the IAF personnel lowered a rope by which Mr Mishra was safely pulled up.
Visuals show the minister – during a white kurta and black jacket – grabbing the rescue line dropped from the hovering helicopter firmly and swaying within the wind.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has also survey some flood-hit areas. “Two bridges in Datia district collapsed thanks to flooding. A crack emerged on a bridge over National Highway 3, so it’s been closed as a precaution,” Mr Chouhan said.
The Congress criticised the incident as a publicity stunt gone wrong. “The way our Home Minister tried to act like Spiderman was dangerous for himself, the stranded people and people who had gone with him.
