This is the incredible moment villagers formed a human chain to rescue schoolchildren trapped in floods in India.

Footage shows dozens of locals forming a queue to brace against fast-flowing currents as they assisted the youngsters across the deluge in the Nanded area of Maharashtra state on July 16.

The children were returning home from school when the water suddenly rose as a reservoir at Khairgaon overflowed due to heavy rain.

Residents braved the torrents to reach the youngsters who were trapped and drag them to safety.

The India Meteorological Department forecasted heavy rain for coastal and western Maharashtra.

The National Disaster Response Force said it preemptively deployed teams to vulnerable areas in the region.