11 Personnel Missing After Rescue Boats Capsize in Telangana Floods
A rescue operation in Khammam district turned tragic as two boats capsized, leaving 11 personnel unaccounted for.
Eleven rescue personnel from SDRF and Fire Services are missing after boats capsized in Khammam.
The incident occurred while attempting to rescue fishermen trapped in floodwaters.
Authorities have initiated a large-scale search operation, including NDRF teams and drones.
In a tragic incident in Khammam district, Telangana, eleven personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire Services have gone missing after two rescue boats capsized in the flooded Bethupalli tank. The incident occurred on Wednesday while the teams were attempting to assist fishermen who were stranded due to rising floodwaters.
The situation escalated when five fishermen, who had entered the tank to set up fishing nets, became trapped in a strong current caused by heavy rainfall. Initially, three fire personnel ventured into the tank to rescue them, but their boat suffered a technical failure, leaving them stranded. A larger rescue operation was launched, deploying six SDRF members, four additional fire personnel, and two local guides in two boats to assist.
While the teams successfully retrieved the three stranded fire personnel, both rescue boats capsized as they approached the fishermen, resulting in eleven personnel going missing. In response to the incident, Khammam district collector Divakar T S and local MLA Matta Ragamayi arrived at the scene to oversee the rescue efforts.
To bolster the search operation, additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel were called in from Bhadrachalam. Teams equipped with boats were dispatched to locate the missing personnel and assist others trapped in the tank. Authorities are also utilizing drones to deliver life jackets to individuals caught in the floodwaters. Preliminary reports indicate that the five fishermen are safe, but efforts are ongoing to locate the missing rescue workers.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed local officials to intensify the rescue operations and ensure the safe recovery of the missing personnel. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy has expressed his concern and emphasized the need for all necessary rescue equipment to be available. He plans to visit the site on Thursday morning to assess the situation firsthand and oversee the ongoing rescue efforts.
