Coimbatore: Heavy rain brought the best out of Valparari inspector P Thirumeni, who risked his life to save 10 people trapped in flooded houses at Valaitottam in Valparai on the early hours of Thursday.
According to an official source, people living in more than 100 houses in the area were asked to move to a nearby government arts and science college around 12 midnight as Valaitottam river began to swell flowing heavy rain.
Around 2am, Valparai police station received an alert that a few families were stranded in the flooded buildings, while the remaining people had either moved to the college or top floor of nearby buildings, said Thirumeni, who was the only official on night duty at the station.
When he reached the spot, first floor of buildings was completely submerged and the area was completely under darkness as electricity was disconnected to avoid incidents of electrocution. “The only sound to be heard was that of gushing water. I wasn’t sure about the buildings where people were trapped.”
It was then Thirumeni heard a baby cry and he didn’t waste any time to swim in that direction. “I was alone and I had no other option as I was determined to save them.”
He swam to and fro several times and rescued 10 people, while the residents assisted him by flashing their torches.
Shortly after he rescued the residents, fire service personnel reached the spot and rescued about 13 conductors and drivers, who were trapped in the TNSTC bus stand.
