When Help Came On Horseback For Some Hyderabad Flood Victims

As the city continues to pick the pieces and rebuild their lives following the worst flooding Hyderabad has seen in a long time, the focus now is on providing relief for those affected.

The Army, NDRF, voluntary groups and individuals are trying their best to reach out to those still in distress.

Also extending their helping hand are the city's horse riders.

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Over the past couple of days, the horse riding enthusiasts in Hyderabad are on a different track - on the flooded lanes of the city where people are still stranded in their houses.

Members of the Hyderabad Horse Riding School (HHRS) are visiting flood-hit areas under the Towlichowki division providing essential commodities in the flood-ravaged areas of the city.

They have also shifted many who were stranded and needed help to safer locations.

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¡°The recent flood was something even I have not seen before. There was no question of sitting at home and doing nothing. So, we put together a team, pooled in money and hit the roads,¡± Md Abdul Wahab, founder of the school told The Times of India.

In several videos that have been posted online the men on horsebacks are seen going from house to house in flooded lanes asking on top of their voice if the residents needed any help or any essentials.

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According to those involved in the rescue and relief efforts, due to them being on horsebacks, they are able to reach isolated places where vehicles or rescue boats are struggling to enter.

Abdul Wahab said that while the school is engaged in various social service activities, this is the first time they are using horses for rescue and relief work.

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As the heavy rains and flash floods left many areas in 4-5 feet water, carrying out relief work is not easy. "Horses are natural swimmers. History shows horses have helped warriors win the wars by swimming across rivers," said Abdul Wahab, who planned the entire operation and execution by assigning the tasks to different teams of horse riders.

"Serving humanity is the biggest service. When you have everything at your disposal you should go out and help those in distress. It gives an immense satisfaction that we are of some help to people," he said.