Varanasi: Swift action by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) saved the life of a 20-year-old youth from drowning in the Ganga at Dandi Ghat here on Wednesday.The 11th Battalion of the NDRF was deployed on picket duty, when the personnel noticed a youth, who was bathing in the river, getting trapped in the strong current. Sensing the danger, trained rescuers swung into action and and reached him using standard water-rescue techniques. Despite the strong current and depth, the team safely brought the youth to the bank within minutes.The rescued youth was identified as Rishu Raj (20), a resident of Nalanda district in Bihar. Owing to the timely rescue, his condition remained stable.Deputy Inspector General of the 11th NDRF, Manoj Kumar Sharma, appealed to the public to exercise caution while visiting rivers, ponds and other water bodies. He advised people not to venture into deep waters while bathing, to pay attention to warning signs and to follow the instructions of security personnel.He said water levels and river currents can rise suddenly during the monsoon. He stressed that awareness, discipline and vigilance are the most effective ways to prevent drowning incidents, adding that NDRF teams are carrying out regular monitoring at the ghats.
