Disaster relief teams today rescued as many as 85 tourists who were stranded in a deep forest in Telangana’s Mulugu district after they were returning from a visit to Muthyala Dhara, the highest waterfalls in the state.

On their return trip the tourists got stranded as the water levels in the local streams had suddenly risen due to incessant rainfall and the fast flow of the water posed a danger of them being swept away..

Teams from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) team along with the local police deployed to the site to conduct rescue operations advised the stranded tourists not to cross the stream, remain on higher ground and keep their mobile batteries safe.

“District Disaster Response Force and NDRF along with local police deployed at the spot and are trying to rescue the tourists. We have spoken to the tourists over mobile and suggested they stay away from the water stream and save battery life. By morning all the tourists will be rescued. Rescue operation is on,” Mulugu Superintendent of Police Gaush Alam told ANI on Wednesday night.

Following the operation, officials took note of their health and offered medical services. According to media reports, 90 per cent of the tourists’ health have been reported to be fine. However, one minor boy has sustained a scorpion bite.

Several districts in Telangana have issued a red alert for heavy rain today. The state government has declared holidays for all educational institutions today.