Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (MS)

Belagavi, Aug 18: A techie, in cooperation with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) saved the lives of many people from drowning in the village of Athani in the district, which was devastated by the overflowing river Krishna.

Prathap N M helped the NDRF personnel in navigating the overflowing river in addition to assisting the force to locate the isolated villagers who were stranded in several spots.

Prathap, a native of Mandya said that he went to Athani with his drones after his friends sought his help. Incidentally Prathap has won several awards in global drone competitions.

Small drones equipped with thermal cameras were used by the 22-year-old Prathap in the rescue effort. He works for Aerowhale Space and Tech, a Bengaluru-based start-up. Prathap accompanied the NDRF team in their boat and helped in locating hundreds of villagers who were stranded as water to the extent of six lac cusecs was released from the Koyna dam.

Recalling the help of Prathap, through the use of his drones, Pavan Bhaskar, sub-inspector of the NDRF team said, "We were unaware as to where the villagers are, though we headed towards the village at 4 pm. Only through the use of drones by Prathap, we could locate them and rescue before it turned dark."'

"The NDRF thought that Prathap is kidding when he approached us saying that he can assist us in our operation. However, after two or three days we came to know that drones are a real asset in such situations," said Pavan Bhaskar.

Janawad gram panchayat member Shivanand Patil was full of praise for Prathap's drone. He said, "Because of drone, we could know that three people of our village are still stuck in flood waters. Two women and a man would have been dead today, if Prathap did not trace them through his drone."