10 SDRF Personnel Missing as Two Boats Capsize During Telangana Rescue Operation
At least 10 personnel belonging to the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire Services were feared missing after two rescue boats capsized during a major rescue operation at Bethupalli Lake in Sathupalli mandal of Telangana’s Khammam district on Wednesday evening, November 4. The incident occurred while rescue teams were attempting to save fishermen trapped in rapidly rising floodwaters.
The lake had been overflowing following heavy rainfall associated with Cyclone Murasu. Strong water currents and turbulent conditions made rescue operations extremely dangerous, as water was reportedly flowing over the tank’s spillway.
According to preliminary reports, a group of fishermen had entered the lake to install fishing nets but became stranded after the water level suddenly increased. Their attempts to return to safety were hampered by powerful currents, prompting authorities to launch an emergency rescue operation.
A rescue team comprising SDRF personnel and Fire Services staff reached the location in two boats. However, both boats reportedly capsized while the teams were attempting to reach the stranded fishermen. Fishing nets in the water and strong currents were among the suspected factors behind the accident.
The number of missing personnel varied across initial reports. Some accounts reported around 10 missing, while others put the figure at 11, including SDRF and Fire Services personnel. Officials were coordinating efforts to establish the exact number and locate everyone involved.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was deployed to strengthen the search operation. Additional rescue teams, expert personnel and drones were also brought into the operation to locate those missing in the swollen lake.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy took note of the incident and instructed Khammam District Collector Divakara T.S. to intensify rescue efforts. He also directed Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju to closely monitor the situation and coordinate with the concerned departments.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy also spoke with senior officials and reviewed the rescue operation. He directed authorities to mobilise all available resources and ensure that the missing personnel were located as quickly as possible.
The incident comes amid widespread disruption caused by heavy rainfall in parts of Telangana. Flooding has affected residential areas, damaged infrastructure and forced authorities to evacuate people from vulnerable locations.
The search for the missing rescuers continued as emergency teams faced challenging weather and water conditions. The incident has highlighted the serious risks faced by disaster response personnel while conducting rescue operations during extreme flooding.
