Dramatic video: Women swept by waterfall surge in India, rescued seconds from the edge

Bihar, India: Six women narrowly escaped tragedy after being swept into a sudden surge of water at the Languriya hill waterfall in Bihar’s Gaya district.

A dramatic video of the incident, captured on Sunday, has gone viral on social media, highlighting the hidden dangers of natural water bodies, especially during sudden weather changes.

Terrifying moments caught on camera

The two-minute video shows the women stranded on slippery rocks in the middle of the fast-flowing waterfall. What began as a seemingly normal day turned dangerous within minutes as a strong surge of water came rushing down the hill, catching tourists off guard.

Initially, one woman managed to save herself by carefully crossing a rock to safety. Inspired by her actions, three other women attempted the same route but were swept away by the force of the water.

Swift response saves lives

Fortunately, villagers quickly responded, pulling the three struggling women to safety just meters away from what appeared to be a deadly drop. The fifth woman was rescued from the opposite side of the waterfall.

The sixth woman remained stranded in the middle of the gushing water but was successfully rescued by locals a few minutes later. During the rescue operation, one of the women sustained injuries after hitting a rock and was treated at a nearby hospital, according to officials.

Eyewitnesses said the weather had been calm, and many tourists were enjoying the waterfall when the water level suddenly surged.  The unexpected surge forced all tourists to flee the area quickly.

The incident underscores the need for greater awareness and caution around natural water bodies. It also highlights the importance of timely intervention by locals, whose swift action likely saved multiple lives. 

Earlier tragedy in Pune raises similar concerns

Just weeks earlier, a tragic incident in Maharashtra’s Pune district claimed four lives and injured 51 others when a narrow iron bridge in Maval tehsil collapsed under the weight of over 100 tourists and multiple motorbikes amid heavy rainfall.

The four-foot-wide bridge, designed for limited use, gave way as the river below surged. Despite a warning sign, visitors had crowded the structure. Many fell into the swollen river and were rescued in an overnight operation.

Authorities have since launched an investigation and released before-and-after visuals showing clear warning signs. Officials continue to urge the public to follow safety guidelines and avoid overcrowding vulnerable infrastructure during the monsoon.