A four-year-old boy, identified as Nirvair Singh, fell into a 350-foot-deep borewell in Dhanaura village, Ambala, on Tuesday morning, triggering a massive rescue operation that continued late into the evening.
According to reports, Nirvair and his father Manjeet Singh had gone to their fields around 6:30 am to deliver food to the boy’s grandfather. While playing nearby, he accidentally fell into an uncovered borewell on a neighbor’s property. Hearing his screams, his father and grandfather raised the alarm. Local residents and an emergency response team rushed to the spot but could not pull him out. Senior officials soon arrived and launched a coordinated rescue effort involving police, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force, and the Army, with heavy machinery pressed into service.
Child Slipped Deeper During Rescue Attempts
The boy was initially stuck at a depth of around 220 feet, but during rescue operations, he reportedly slipped further down. Residents confirmed the borewell was approximately 350 feet deep.
A camera was lowered into the borewell to monitor the child’s movements. Footage showed the boy’s hands, but water was also flowing down, complicating the operation. Officials declined to comment on the child’s health condition.
Villagers Express Frustration Over Slow Rescue
Villagers expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the operation, noting that rescue teams had not yet retrieved the child. Nirvair’s maternal uncle said, “The family is in shock and we are praying for his safety. It has been over 12 hours now. The administration is trying but we are feeling helpless.”
The boy’s father, who fell unconscious, was taken away, while his grandfather refused to leave the spot and kept crying.
Rain Hinders Operation; Officials Monitor Progress
Rain also hampered the operation, and a tent was erected to prevent water from entering the borewell. Deputy Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomer and SDM Kanika Goyal were monitoring the rescue. “The NDRF is trying to retrieve the boy with the help of hooks. The water is also running in the borewell,” the DC said.
“The incident occurred due to the negligence of the person who did not cover the borewell. Directions have been issued to take action. We appeal to all farmers to cover borewells to avoid such unfortunate incidents in the future,” he added.
State Cabinet minister Anil Vij and BJP district president Mandeep Rana visited the spot and met the boy’s family.
