PANAJI
Forty-seven students and five teachers of the SFX Higher Secondary School at Siolim were rescued by Fire & Emergency Services (FES) personnel on Monday after they were stranded at the Charavane waterfall in Sattari as water level rose sharply due to heavy rains in the area.
According to sources, the teachers and students had gone on a trek to the Charavane waterfall on Monday morning, even though weather alerts had predicted heavy rains in the State on Monday.
At about 11.30 am, it started to rain heavily and water levels in the river rose sharply. The trekkers were stranded near the waterfall.
One of the schoolboys informed that it was impossible to cross the river due to a sudden increase in the water level, prompting them to alert the fire services and the Forest Department.
The Valpoi fire station was notified and a team of FES personnel led by Fire Officer Santosh Gawas along with a police team, a forest team and a group of locals from Charavane village rushed to the site.
With the help of ropes, the 47 students and five teachers were rescued from the waterfall.
Sources said some children were lifted and carried across the river.
Speaking to the media, Valpoi Fire Station Officer Santosh Gawas confirmed that no one was injured in the incident.
“The rescue operation took about two hours and all students and teachers crossed the river by about 4 pm,” said Gawas.
Locals were, however, critical of the school’s decision to undertake the trek to the Charavane waterfall despite the adverse weather warnings on Monday, thereby posing a serious risk to the safety of students and teachers.
“Authorities had issued alerts regarding heavy rains and despite this, it is surprising that the school management took the risk and organised the trek to the waterfall. A tragedy could have taken place if the water level had to suddenly rise to a dangerous level, while the rescue operation was in progress. People should not undertake such a risk,” remarked a local from Charvane.
