Madikeri:  Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Emergency Services and the local people who are continuing rescue works, have rescued an elderly couple from the flood-hit and landslide place in Kodagu yesterday. The elderly couple identified as Palani and Shantha were trapped in labourers’ quarters at Kaandanakolli  near Hemmatalu which was buried due to landslide since four days.

As there is no mobile phone network or any other means of communication, the elderly couple was unable to contact anyone and also the couple who were sick and hungry had lost all hopes of them surviving.

The villagers had initially thought that the couple may have taken shelter at one of the relief camps and as they could not find the couple in any relief camps, they along with NDRF personnel began to search them at the labourers’ quarters and finally traced them yesterday. They were rescued and have been admitted at Madikeri General Hospital.

103-year-old woman saved

The rescue team have also rescued a 103-year-old woman, who was found living alone at a house in Mukkodlu and have admitted her to a hospital. The centenarian woman has been identified as Kaveramma. The family members fearing landslides, had left Kaveramma in the house as she was sick and had taken shelter at a relief camp. Even the house was dilapidated and was on the verge of collapse.

After the floods receded, Kaveramma’s daughter-in-law used to visit the house and provide food for Kaveramma, it is learnt. A group of youth, who were observing this, informed the NDRF and with their help rescued Kaveramma and admitted her to a hospital.