Debagada: In a race against rising floodwaters, a family in Kaliapal village under Barkote block carried a pregnant woman through waist-deep water to reach an ambulance waiting on the other side of a flooded stream. But the desperate journey did not end there—the woman gave birth to a baby boy inside the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
The dramatic incident unfolded on Sunday morning after floodwaters from the Tankujura canal submerged the bridge connecting the village, cutting off road access and leaving Kaliapal virtually isolated.
An ambulance had arrived to take the pregnant woman to hospital. However, with water gushing over the bridge, the vehicle could not enter the village.
With little time to spare, her family members lifted her and carefully carried her through the flooded stream. Battling strong currents and waist-deep water, they managed to get her to the stranded ambulance. The journey to the Barkote Community Health Centre continued, but the baby could not wait.
The woman delivered a baby boy inside the ambulance while en route to the hospital. Both mother and newborn are now receiving treatment at Barkote hospital and are reported to be under medical care.
For residents, however, the incident has once again highlighted a long-standing problem. Locals said the Tankujura stream regularly cuts off transport during heavy rains, turning what should be a routine journey to hospital into a dangerous struggle.
Residents have urged the authorities to take permanent measures to ensure safe connectivity, particularly for pregnant women, elderly people and patients who need urgent medical attention during the monsoon.