An animal's life has been dangling by a thread after it got stuck into a river in eastern India's Odisha on September 24. The incident took place at Mundali Barrage in Cuttack.

Visuals feature the tusker struggling to stay afloat or move inside the raging stream of water in broad daylight, ensuing panic among those beholding the spine-chilling occurrence. Meanwhile, the rescuers attempt to secure ropes around its body to bring it to safety while the stranded mammal trembles all along as they manage to get hold of its trunk. Besides, a huge crowd gathers on the bridge to witness the terrible incident.

The giant jumbo got stranded inside the gushing stream of the river during the daytime, following which it began to drown as the water level began to rise. However, it managed to balance itself inside the water while a rescue operation to save the tusker was underway by the fire services personnel. Moreover, a 10-member expert team along with Chandaka Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) have reached Mundali for ‘Operation Gaja’ for the rescue of the elephant stuck in the Mahanadi river.

A herd of 17 elephants crossed the river near Mundali, but unfortunately, all other elephants were able to cross the river except this one. Moreover, it has been alleged that two other elephants have been swept away with the heavy current of the river while trying to save the stranded animal.