Four persons, including the driver of a tractor-trailer, who were trapped in a flooded Gaj rivulet in the Nagrota Surian area in Jawali sub-division, were rescued last evening.

They were extracting minerals from the riverbed when water level suddenly rose. The tractor-trailer started to move with the strong currents, but the driver didn’t leave the steering wheel.

Locals noticed the vehicle in the swollen rivulet and rescued the stranded labourers.

The tractor-trailer was pulled out of the water with the help of a JCB machine.

The state government has banned all types of mining activities in rivers and streams from July 15 to September 15 to allow natural mineral replenishment.

However, some people are still violating the ban and risking their lives by entering rivers to extract minerals.