Over 40 Odisha fire service and emergency response professionals, a special aeroplane carrying crucial equipment, and an eight-hour arduous effort were required to save a newborn girl who was allegedly left within a borewell in Odisha’s Sambalpur district earlier this week.
The residents of Laripali village, in the proximity of the borewell, were the first to hear the infant’s cry. They immediately informed the police, following which a rescue operation was launched.
Since the baby was trapped at a depth of around 20 feet, three excavators were dispatched to dig a parallel pit of the same depth. Electric cutters were utilised to break the iron conduit of the borewell and rescue the newborn.
A team of doctors was also stationed at the rescue location, providing oxygen and medical assistance to the infant. To keep her warm, a filament light was placed within the borewell.
The baby girl was promptly given basic treatment after being extracted, and she was subsequently transferred to VIMSAR, Burla, where a special team of specialists was kept on standby.
Expressing happiness, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “It’s a matter of great relief. I wish a long life for the baby. May God bless her. I am happy that the entire state machinery is working with the guiding principle of every life is precious.”
The CM had been monitoring the operation, and a special aircraft had flown some equipment on his orders.
A rescuer stated that a ‘victim location camera’ provided by aircraft assisted in determining the location of the infant and her condition, allowing them to safely cut the borewell pipe and accelerated the operation. The baby’s cries, he claimed, also encouraged the rescue squad to work as quickly as possible.
According to Fire Service DG Sudhansu Sarangi, safe rescue was difficult because the baby was trapped inside the borewell pipe. To avoid injuring the baby, the pipe was cut with extreme caution. “The rescue team also made every attempt to ensure she does not fall further,” he added.
Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo, Superintendent of Police in Sambalpur, said an investigation will be launched to discover the person who deserted the girl.
By
Sasi Nair
