Bhadrak, July 30: A farmer in Odisha’s Bhadrak district was rescued by an ODRAF team after spending nearly 24 hours stranded on top of a palm tree in the middle of a flooded field. The incident took place in the Dhamnagar block area, where rising floodwaters left the farmer fighting for survival.

The farmer, identified as Trilochan Sahu of Gundicha Sahi under Nadigaon Panchayat, had gone to his field for agricultural work when floodwaters suddenly surrounded him. Finding no way to escape, he climbed a nearby palm tree to save his life and remained there through the night amid hunger, fear, and uncertainty.

Trilochan’s family became anxious after they failed to receive any information about him. His son, Saroj Sahu, later informed Dhamnagar MLA and Minister Suryabanshi Suraj about his father’s disappearance and the possibility that he was trapped in the flooded field.

Following the alert, a rescue operation was launched. Three ODRAF teams carried out a search throughout the night but initially failed to trace him. The rescue teams continued their efforts and finally located Trilochan on Thursday morning.

At around 9 am, a joint team of ODRAF personnel and the local administration successfully rescued him from the palm tree and brought him to safety.

The incident highlights the dangers posed by sudden flooding in rural areas, where rising waters can leave farmers and villagers stranded with little warning.