Khammam, Nov. 5: All 11 people who went missing after two rescue boats capsized in Bethupalli Lake in Telangana’s Khammam district were rescued by Thursday morning.
The group included Telangana State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, Fire Services staff and a local resident. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Fire Services teams jointly carried out the rescue operation.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when the team attempted to rescue five fishermen stranded in the overflowing lake. Strong currents caused both boats to capsize, sweeping all 11 occupants into the floodwaters.
Officials said some missing personnel managed to stay together and contacted authorities by phone. Their communication helped rescue teams narrow down their location.
Rescue Operation Continued Through the Night
The incident began when five fishermen entered Bethupalli Lake on Wednesday afternoon to lay fishing nets. However, rising water levels and strong currents left them stranded.
Other fishermen and local residents attempted to help them. Consequently, eight people became trapped in the water.
Fire Services personnel initially rescued three people. However, five fishermen remained stranded, prompting authorities to launch another operation.
A team of 10 personnel and one local resident later entered the lake using two boats at around 7.30 p.m. Both boats capsized in the powerful current.
Meanwhile, the five stranded fishermen reached a mound of earth in the middle of the lake. An NDRF team from Vijayawada reached them around 10.30 p.m. and brought all five to safety by 11.20 p.m.
A tragic accident occurred in Sattupalli Mandal of Khammam district, where 10 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel went missing after two rescue boats encountered surging floodwaters at Betupalli Cheruvu.
#Khammam #SDRF #TelanganaFloods #FloodRelief #IndToday #Breaking https://t.co/Ii5LGLNk8i
— indtoday (@ind2day) November 4, 2026
The joint search operation continued through the night. Officials confirmed that all 11 missing rescuers were eventually rescued by Thursday morning.
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