Overview
- Heavy rains caused the Sukta and Avana rivers to rise suddenly on Thursday evening, leaving four people marooned on an island near Handikundi about 20 kilometres from Khandwa town.
- Police alerted the State Disaster Emergency Response Force at about 6:15 pm and SDERF teams reached the site but paused direct entry because the current made towing a boat by safety rope too dangerous.
- Rescuers used drones to drop life jackets, food and drinking water and kept constant mobile contact with the group to maintain their safety and morale during the night.
- After river levels partially receded, a tethered motorboat was towed to the island and all four—Huzefa Hamid (40), Mayank alias Gopal (16), Ali Asgar (35) and Ayush (18)—were evacuated safely at about 4:45 am, ending an roughly 11‑hour operation.
- The case highlights seasonal flash‑flood risks in central India and shows how SDERF is using drones and cautious tactics to protect both victims and rescue teams during high‑flow water operations.