- 10 SDRF and fire services personnel had gone missing in Khammam.
- Their rescue boats capsized in the overflowing Bethupalli lake.
- NDRF rescued all of them in an overnight operation.
10 personnel of the Telangana State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and fire services, who went missing after their two rescue boats capsized in the Bethupalli lake in Khammam district, were rescued and brought to safety. The incident took place after their boats ventured into the overflowing tank on Wednesday to rescue fishermen trapped in floodwaters.
According to officials, the lake overflowed following intense rainfall. Five fishermen had ventured into the tank to set up nets for catching fish but were carried by the strong current. They were unable to return to safety. In a post on X, Telangana Minister for Revenue, Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, said that rescue teams identified the possible location of the missing SDRF personnel and that they would be rescued safely.
On Wednesday night, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy directed the District Collector, Divakar, to intensify efforts and take all necessary measures to ensure the safe rescue of the SDRF personnel. He also instructed the Chief Secretary to continue monitoring and reviewing the situation, the Chief Minister's Office said.
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Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar also enquired about the situation on the ground. He talked to District Collector Divakar over the phone. Minister Kumar also requested senior NDRF officials to trace the SDRF boats that were swept away in the lake, following which, NDRF personnel immediately launched rescue operations on a war footing. NDRF personnel have started moving towards the location of the missing SDRF boats in Sathupalli.
Kumar took to X and said, "Deeply concerned over SDRF personnel going missing during an operation to rescue fishermen stranded in floodwaters at Bethupalli Lake in Sathupalli, Khammam district, Telangana."
"We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in constant coordination with the authorities to ensure the safe return of everyone involved," Kumar said.
(With PTI Inputs)