Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Four Picnickers Rescued After 11-Hour Operation in Khandwa
A group of four friends went to a picnic spot where two rivers meet in Khandwa, India.
Heavy rain made the rivers rise quickly, and they got stuck on a small island.
The State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF) started a rescue that lasted 11 hours.
They first sent drones with life jackets, food, and water to keep the friends safe.
When the water level went down a bit, they towed a boat to the island and brought everyone back safely by early Friday morning.
The rescue showed how careful planning and new tools like drones can help in floods.
Four picnickers were stranded on an island at the confluence of the Sukta and Avana rivers in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh.
Heavy rains caused a sudden rise in river levels, trapping the group on the island.
The State Disaster Emergency Response Force launched an 11‑hour rescue operation, using drones to deliver life jackets, food, and water.
After the water level partially receded, a motorboat was towed to the island with safety ropes, rescuing all four by 4:45 am Friday.
The operation highlighted the importance of safety precautions and adaptive rescue strategies in flood situations.
- Who
- Four picnickers (Huzefa Hamid, Mayank alias Gopal, Ali Asgar, Ayush) and the State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF)
- What
- An 11‑hour rescue operation to retrieve picnickers stranded on a river island
- When
- Thursday night to Friday morning, rescued at 4:45 am Friday
- Where
- Island at the confluence of the Sukta and Avana rivers in the Handikundi area, Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Why
- Sudden rise in river levels caused by heavy rains trapped the group on the island
- Location
- Handikundi area, Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Rescue duration
- 11 hours
- Rescue agency
- State Disaster Emergency Response Force (SDERF)
- Number of people rescued
- 4
- Rescue date
- Friday
- Rescue time
- 4:45 am
- River names
- Sukta and Avana rivers
- Supply delivery method
- drones
