Hyderabad, Nov 11 Telangana Fire Services Director General Vikram Singh Mann on Wednesday felicitated 63 fire department personnel for exemplary courage during an operation carried out to rescue fishermen and SDRF personnel who were stranded and went missing in a swollen lake.
The DG Fire Services felicitated the 63 fire department personnel who demonstrated exceptional courage, dedication and commitment during the challenging night rescue operation carried out at Bethupalli lake in Sathupalli mandal on November 4, an official release said.
Recognising their bravery and selfless efforts in undertaking the rescue mission, the DG invited all 63 personnel to his office here and appreciated them for their professionalism, teamwork and dedication to public service.
Mann advised all fire department personnel across the state to remain alert, exercise utmost caution and strictly adhere to safety precautions while undertaking rescue operations, particularly in challenging and life-threatening situations.
The 63 personnel were presented with cash rewards and appreciation letters in recognition of their exemplary service and commitment to saving precious lives, the release said, adding that the felicitation highlighted the department’s recognition of the personnel’s selfless service and commitment to protecting and saving lives.
Eleven State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, who were deployed in two boats to rescue fishermen stranded in the overflowing Bethupalli lake in Khammam district, were missing after their boats capsized. The Khammam district had received rain under the influence of cyclone ‘Murasu’.
During the operation, strong water currents caused the SDRF boats to capsize. However, the SDRF personnel managed to cling to some trees near the lake shore before NDRF personnel rescued them during a night-long operation, carried out along with rescue teams including fire service personnel and district officials. Eight fishermen, who were stranded in the lake, were rescued initially.
(PTI News)
