Khammam: rescuers swept away when boats capsize, all saved

Ten SDRF and fire personnel were thrown into a swollen lake while going to help stranded fishermen; some spent the night clinging to a tree

Ten personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Fire Department were swept into floodwaters when two boats capsized in Bethupalli Peddacheruvu lake in Telangana's Khammam district on Wednesday (November 4) evening, while trying to rescue fishermen stranded there, The Hindu reported. All of them were eventually rescued after a search that went on for more than 12 hours.

What happened

Five fishermen who had gone to collect their nets were stranded as the water rose rapidly, and three others who went to help them were also trapped, The News Minute reported. It said the surge in the lake was reportedly due to Cyclone Murasu.

The SDRF launched a rescue in two boats at around 6.30 pm and brought three fishermen back before both boats capsized in strong winds and currents, The News Minute reported. Local police and teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) then joined the search.

'Like a rebirth'

Naresh, a constable of the Telangana State Special Police's 6th Battalion serving with the SDRF, was one of three men who clung to a tree through the night until an NDRF team reached them early on Thursday.

"Soon after we ventured into the lake in two boats at around 7 p.m. on Wednesday to rescue the stranded fishermen, the water level suddenly rose and the currents became very strong," he told The Hindu. "I, along with two others, jumped into the water just before the boats capsized under the impact of strong currents. We managed to climb a tree and spent the entire night there amid the raging floodwaters."

His family had waited through the night at the rescue site.

How the count changed

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said on Thursday morning that 10 SDRF personnel and a local fisherman had been rescued, while one more SDRF member had been located and was yet to be brought ashore, The News Minute reported. Later reports by The Hindu said all the missing personnel had been rescued.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had told the district administration to take every step to bring the personnel back safely.