Narrow escape for BDO from being washed away

Ranchi: A block development officer (BDO) of Chatra had a narrow escape when her vehicle got stuck in a flooded river while she was going to attend

Jal Shakti Abhiyan

, which was launched across the state on Sunday. The

BDO

and her subordinate employees got off the vehicle at the last minute before it sank into the floodwater. Officials said BDO Kirtibala Lakra was heading towards Kunda in a Tata Victor (four wheeler) to launch the programme. Her vehicle, however, got stuck while crossing the Chiloi river. The BDO and her subordinates alighted the vehicle and were trying to free it when the water level started rising. All of them quickly rushed to the banks for safety.

A few villagers who gathered at the spot also remained on the banks sensing that the river is getting flooded. Within minutes the entire vehicle sunk into the swelling river. Chatra DC Jitendra Kumar Singh confirmed the incident saying, “Lakra’s vehicle got stuck in slush. Even though the vehicle was submerged completely within a short period of time she is safe.”