Eleven personnel from the Telangana State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Fire Services Department went missing on Wednesday after two rescue boats capsized in the overflowing Bethupalli tank in Khammam district while they were attempting to rescue fishermen trapped in floodwaters, officials said.
A larger rescue operation was subsequently launched, involving six SDRF personnel from Kothagudem, four additional Fire Services personnel and two local guides. Their boat developed a technical snag, leaving them stranded in the water. The team set out in two boats to rescue both the stranded firefighters and the fishermen. The teams managed to bring back the three fire services personnel whose boat had developed a technical problem. Khammam district collector Divakar T S and Sathupalli MLA Matta Ragamayi rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident and joined officials in coordinating the rescue efforts. Additional National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel from Bhadrachalam were requisitioned to strengthen the search and rescue operation. Teams were deployed with boats to search for the missing personnel and reach people stranded in the tank. Officials were also making arrangements to use drones to drop life jackets to those caught in the floodwaters. Preliminary information indicated that all five fishermen trapped in the tank were safe. Revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy expressed concern over the incident and directed officials to expedite the search operation. He also stressed the need to ensure the availability of all necessary rescue equipment and boats.
both rescue boats capsized in the turbulent waters, leaving 11 personnel missing, the statement said While proceeding towards the fishermen. Efforts were continuing to trace the 11 missing rescue personnel.
Three fire services personnel initially entered the flooded tank in a boat to rescue the fishermen, according to a statement from the office of state revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy.
