Bhubaneswar, Sept 1: In a dramatic rescue operation, a 35-year-old man stranded for nearly 24 hours on a rock in the middle of the Sabari River along the Odisha–Chhattisgarh border was airlifted to safety on Monday. The man, identified as Irma Sodhi of Kotamateru village under Malkangiri police limits, had gone to Telawarti village in Sukma district, Chhattisgarh, for daily wage work.

While returning home in a traditional wooden boat, Irma’s vessel capsized midstream after water seeped in. Struggling against the strong currents, he clung to a submerged tree branch throughout the night. At dawn, he managed to reach a rock in the river, where he remained stranded without food or help.

Local villagers spotted him the next morning and immediately alerted Malkangiri police and fire services. The authorities quickly coordinated with Sukma police, who sought assistance from CRPF personnel. The matter was escalated to the Indian Air Force, and a rescue helicopter was dispatched from Jagdalpur.

Irma was safely airlifted and admitted to Sukma District Hospital. Doctors confirmed he is stable and will be discharged after full recovery.

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