Villagers rescue man caught in flash flood in southern India

Villagers in southern India were captured desperately trying to rescue a man that had got stuck in the middle of a flash flood during cyclone Gaja.

Footage captured in Dindigul on November 17 shows the man holding onto one of the pillars of a bridge to avoid being swept away by the strong current of the water.

Villagers standing on the bridge then throw a rope to the man, who ties himself up to the rope.

After a long struggle, the man can be seen being pulled out of the water and up to the bridge by the villagers.

Cyclone Gaja wreaked havoc across the state of Tamil Nadu last week, claiming at least 45 lives and forcing thousands to evacuate.