A tiny elephant calf in eastern India escaped almost certain death when it was rescued from a raging river on Thursday 19 August.

The incident took place in the Banarhat area of Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal.

Video shows the desperate calf being swept away by the rising torrent as onlookers panic.

Fortunately rescuers saved the little mammal, bringing it to land with the help of a giant net.

The incident happened when a herd of 12 elephants was exploring the area near Hathinala when the calf slipped and fell into the water.

After being alerted, staff from the Binnaguri Forest Department arrived and rescued the jumbo with the help of some locals.

It was later reunited with its herd.

In a stroke of luck, a hapless calf got a new lease on life after encountering a life-threatening situation in eastern India's West Bengal on August 19. The incident took place in the Banarhat area of the Jalpaiguri district.

Visuals feature the gushing stream of river water washing away the little calf in broad daylight while the water level continues to increase, posing a threat to its life. The muddy river current sweeps away the tiny jumbo while it desperately attempts to cling onto something to save its life. Meanwhile, panic ensues amid the onlookers upon witnessing the incident while the rescuers save the little mammal and bring it towards the surface with the help of a giant net.

A herd of 12 elephants was strolling and exploring the area near the Hathinala to look for some potential meal when the calf slipped and fell inside the raging stream of the river during the daytime. Upon receiving the news of this incident, the staff of the Binnaguri Forest Department reached the spot and rescued the jumbo with the help of some locals. Moreover, the calf was reunited with its herd after the successful rescue operation.