Varanasi: Twelve shepherds and more than 2,000 sheep, stranded after a sudden rise in the Ganga’s water level turned an area near Duhia Saraiya village in Ghazipur into an island, were safely rescued after a nearly six-hour-long operation by the PAC flood company, police and local boatmen late on Sunday.The shepherds and their flock were stranded in an area near Duhia Saraiya village under Suhwal police station as the rising Ganga waters cut off the area. Police deployed drones equipped with night-vision cameras to locate the stranded shepherds and sheep amid darkness and overcast conditions.Ghazipur SP Iraj Raja said on Monday that an alert was received around 11 pm that several shepherds were trapped along with their sheep in the isolated area following the sudden rise in the Ganga’s water level. A joint team led by the SP, along with the ADM, SDM Sadar, city circle officer and other police and administrative officials, reached Dadri Ghat. A drone equipped with a night-vision camera was deployed and subsequently located all 12 shepherds and more than 2,000 sheep.With the help of the PAC flood company, police personnel, administrative officials and local boatmen, the rescue operation began around midnight and continued for nearly six hours.After sustained efforts, all 12 shepherds and more than 2,000 sheep were safely brought out of the area.Officials said the timely operation averted a major tragedy as the Ganga’s water level continued to rise rapidly in Ghazipur. Rising waters and darkness posed several challenges for the rescue teams, making the use of night-vision equipment and coordinated efforts among the police, PAC, administration and local boatmen crucial to the operation.
