10 SDRF personnel missing as boats capsize during Telangana rescue operation

Around 10 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel were feared missing after two boats allegedly capsized during an operation to rescue stranded fishermen in Bethupalli lake in Telangana's Khammam district on Wednesday evening. According to news agency PTI, the personnel were conducting a rescue operation in two boats in the swollen lake, located in Sathupalli mandal, when the boats were suspected to have capsized. They had been deployed to rescue a group of fishermen stranded in the lake. Khammam district, which borders Andhra Pradesh, has been receiving heavy rainfall under the impact of cyclone Murasu. Khammam district collector Divakara T S and other officials rushed to the site and deployed teams to search for the missing personnel. Telangana revenue minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said in a post on X that rescue teams had identified the possible location of the missing SDRF personnel. He said the personnel would be rescued safely. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy, who was briefed about the incident, directed the District Collector to make every effort to rescue the missing personnel, according to an official release. He also asked Chief secretary Sanjay Jaju to monitor the situation. Union minister of state for home Bandi Sanjay Kumar said National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel had been deployed and were carrying out rescue operations. "Deeply concerned over SDRF personnel going missing during an operation to rescue fishermen stranded in floodwaters at Bethupalli Lake in Sathupalli, Khammam district, Telangana," Kumar said on X. He said he had spoken to the Khammam district collector to assess the situation and coordinated with senior NDRF officials to deploy rescue teams. "We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in constant coordination with the authorities to ensure the safe return of everyone involved," Kumar said. Search and rescue operations were continuing, with teams working to locate the missing personnel.