Meet Hyd rangers who cruised through floods to save animals in AP

West Godavari: Imagine dogs surviving on the animal carcass for a week? This was the pathetic situation of the stray dogs in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh which were left to die in devastating floods. It was Hyderabad-based Animal Warriors Conservation Society (AWCS) that came to Andhra with a team of nine members to rescue the animals. The team saw more than 60 animals including dogs, cats, cattle, and pigs die during the Andhra floods.

"After 1986, we saw such a heavy flood this year in the state and it affected many animals including cats, dogs, pigs, cattle, and snakes. Many cows and goats got washed away in the floods and died. We could see dogs surviving on the carcass. That was a horrible scene but the animals did not have anything to eat", said General Secretary of AWCS Sanjeev Varma.

The team from AWCS started rescue operations in two days in Andhra Pradesh, especially in Kunavaram village in Alluri Sitharama Raju district, and Narsapuram in West Godavari districts. As snakes entered the houses, the team took out boats to rescue snakes. The team attended to the animals and reptiles alike. "In AP, we did not have road access till now. It took two hours to travel 13 km in the forest area near Edupayala. Our vehicle got stuck in the mud road, and it was a tough time to initially enter the villages", said Sanjeev.

During the rescue, the team saw more puppies and piglets dying as they were unable to save themselves from the heavy flow of flood water. Meanwhile, the dogs that were on the terrace couldn't get out and had to stay for days together. "As the inflow was high, many cows which were swimming in water climbed onto the temple and house terrace. Some of them died and their carcass was left on the terrace. The government rescued humans, but animals were left alone. We felt as if animals were waiting for us to rescue", said Sanjeev.

How fishermen risked lives to save cows from being washed away in Velugodu reservoir in Nandyal

Displaying indomitable courage, fishermen saved 350 cows from being washed away in the Velugodu reservoir of the Nandyal district on Friday. On Friday, a group of villagers from Velugodu took a herd of 500 cows for grazing at the nearby reservoir. However, wild boars from the nearby forest tried to attack the cows. Fear for their lives, the cows jumped into the waters. Later cattle grazers sought the help of the local fishermen to save the animals. Risking their lives, fisherman used their boats in strong currents to rescue the cattle. However, 150 cows were washed away by the strong currents.

Later, officials of Pothireddypadu reduced the inflow at the Pothireddypadu regulator. Revenue, Police, and Irrigation officials have launched to look for missing cows. Cattle owners hope that the cows will reach the shore as the inflow has been reduced.