Koraput: Atleast three persons, along with their motorcycle, were swept away in the floodwater currents when they were crossing a bridge in Koraput district on Thursday. Later, they were rescued by local people, a senior officer said.

The incident took place on the submerged bridge connecting Malda with Kailari area under Borigumma block. “Nearly five-foot high floodwater was flowing over the bridge. The three persons and their motorcycle were swept by the floodwater currents. However, a major mishap was averted as the local people immediately rescued them,” the officer said.The three persons attempted to cross the bridge on a motorcycle, defying the strong currents and barricades put up to restrict the movement of people there, he said. The local people, who rescued them, said the three failed to maintain the balance of the motorcycle due to the floodwater currents. “Though the lives of the three persons were saved, the motorcycle was washed away,” the police said. The three persons are residents of Jamuguda village of Nabarangpur district. They came to Kotpad in Koraput on Monday and were returning home when the incident occurred.

“The administration has barricaded the area and cautioned people not to cross the bridge because of floodwater. But they defied the warning and landed themselves in trouble,” District Emergency Officer (Koraput) Saranjita Majhi said. Many houses, roads, bridges and stretches on the National Highway 326 have been damaged by the incessant rain. “Currently, the situation is under control,” Saranjita said.