Citizens band together to rescue animals

As the Yamuna swelled and residents were evacuated from its banks, a parallel rescue effort was kicked off by volunteers, NGOs and citizens: to save stranded animals.

- Aaditya Khatwani

From dogs perched on rooftops to buffaloes surrounded by floodwaters, dozens of people waded through chest-deep water, carrying animals on their shoulders or ferrying them on boats to safety.

On Thursday, in the floodplains opposite Mayur Vihar Phase-1, a group of 30-40 people gathered to save marooned animals. Two boats crisscrossed the waterlogged landscape, searching for dogs and cattle.