Laying down their life in the line of duty either during peace or disturbed conditions is what distinguishes the uniformed personnel. Take the case of the constable from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Kella Srinivasa Rao, who drowned in the deluge at Damaramadugu village in Buchireddypalem mandal, Andhra Pradesh during a rescue operation.

The incident happened on Saturday when the SDRF’s personnel’s life jacket got detached in the course of the rescue operation.

As per the police information, around 7.30 a.m. on receiving a call about two persons trapped in Damaramadugu floods, a team was sent out to rescue them. The team, including 30-year-old Rao, hastened to the village in a boat and found a father and son sitting on an electric pole surrounded by water, desperately seeking help. The rescue team brought them down safely and moved them to the boat.’

Unfortunately, Rao’s life jacket came off during this operation and he got washed away in the water. Even though his team tried their best to save him, they were unable to. His body was later found and sent to the local government hospital for autopsy.

#APPolice constable sacrifices his life in the service of people:
Kella Srinivasa Rao, PC 5th Bn #SDRF of #Vizianagaram drowned&succumbed today at 8.30 am at Damaramadugu(V), Buchhireddy Palem(M), #Nellore District in a rescue operation to save the villagers stranded in floods. pic.twitter.com/n17wlBsENE

— Andhra Pradesh Police (@APPOLICE100) November 20, 2021

Born in Kandisa village in the Regidi Amadalavalasa mandal of the Srikakulam district, Rao is survived by his wife Suneetha and Mokshagna, their 18-month-old son Mokshagna.

Son of a folk musician, Kella Varahala Naidu, Rao was born and raised in a poor rural area and in 2013 he was hired as a constable with the AP Special Police Fifth Battalion in Chinthalavalasa, Vizianagaram district.

The rescued father and son thanked the police profusely and were in tears when Rao died in the rescue operation to save them.

The Superintendent of Police Ch Vijaya Rao paid his respects to Srinivasa Rao at the site and observed: “Until his last breath, he was involved in rescue operations.”

The southern part of India has been facing floods due to incessant rain and Andhra Pradesh has  so far lost people in rain-related incidents while 17 others are still missing.

Also read: Andhra floods damage road, rail routes; several trains cancelled