Hyderabad, Nov 5 Eleven SDRF personnel, who were feared missing after their boats capsized during a rescue operation in a swollen lake in Khammam district of Telangana, were rescued safely, officials said on Thursday.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel were deployed in two boats on Wednesday night to rescue a group of eight fishermen stranded in the overflowing Bethupalli lake in Sathupalli mandal of the district.
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.
“All have been rescued,” Khammam district Collector Divakara T S told PTI.
The Khammam district has been receiving rain under the influence of cyclone ‘Murasu’.
The fishermen, who were stranded in the lake, were rescued on Wednesday night itself, he said.
Divakara said a total of 19 people — 11 SDRF personnel and eight fishermen, were rescued.
It was a long night for the rescued personnel as they saved their lives by taking shelter near trees, braving darkness and snakes.
“I swam for about six kms. I sat on a big tree. I whistled to villagers and fire personnel who were searching using a light. They asked me whether I was safe. I jumped to a small tree. They asked me to stay there. A big snake arrived. I managed to escape and sat there for seven to eight hours,” an SDRF rescue worker told reporters.
Another SDRF rescuer said he and a colleague jumped out before the boat capsized. He said he was washed away in the current for about 1.50 kms and then clung on to a tree.
“It’s like a rebirth for us. At one stage, we felt about whether we would be able to see the sunrise or not. NDRF personnel rescued us,” he said.
The rescued SDRF personnel were taken to a hospital and a doctor said all of them are fine, though a few sustained minor injuries.
The family members of the rescued broke into tears upon seeing their loved ones return safely at the hospital.
The mother of a SDRF rescuer said she spent anxious moments during the night as her son did not immediately respond to her phone calls.
Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy lauded the officials and rescue teams for the successful operation.
The minister, who informed Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy about the incident on Wednesday, rushed to the spot from Hyderabad, an official release said.
He felicitated the SDRF personnel for their dedication and courage in carrying out the rescue mission, it added.
Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar said on Wednesday that NDRF personnel were deployed for the rescue operation.
(PTI News)
