Gariaband, July 5 -- Fourteen labourers who were stranded due to rising floodwaters in Chhattisgarh's Gariaband district were safely rescued following a joint operation, officials said.

The labourers were trapped after continuous rainfall over the past 24 hours caused a sudden surge in the water levels of the Bagnai River.

Nitesh Singh, DSP Gariaband, stated that the incident occurred at Bijapal village, located on the border of Gariaband and Mahasamund districts.

"Bijapal village is located on the border of Gariaband and Mahasamund districts, under the jurisdiction of Chura Police Station. Bridge construction work was underway on the Bagnai River there, and 14 labourers were living in a makeshift shed beneath the bridge. Due to contin...