Eleven Rescue Personnel Missing After Boats Capsize in Telangana Floodwaters

Two rescue boats capsized in the overflowing Bethupalli tank in Sathupalli mandal of Khammam district on November 4, leaving about eleven personnel from the State Disaster Response Force and Fire Services missing. The teams had entered the water to rescue fishermen stranded by rising flood levels.

Five fishermen had gone into the tank to set nets near the weir to prevent fish from escaping. Water was flowing about three feet over the spillway after heavy rains. Three additional fishermen who tried to help them also became stranded. An initial fire services boat developed a technical problem and left its crew in the water.

A larger team of six SDRF personnel from Kothagudem, four more Fire Services personnel and two local guides set out in two boats. They brought the first group of stranded firefighters back safely. Both boats then capsized as the teams moved toward the remaining fishermen. Officials suspect the boats may have become caught in fishing nets amid strong currents and winds.

Khammam Collector Divakara T.S. and other officials reached the site. Sathupalli MLA Matta Ragamayi also arrived. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy reviewed the situation and directed the collector to conduct rescue operations on a war footing. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy expressed concern. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka instructed that additional boats and equipment be made available.

National Disaster Response Force teams have been deployed. Drones are being used to drop life jackets. Search efforts continue under poor visibility and difficult weather. Another SDRF team from Bhadrachalam has joined the operation. Divers and trained swimmers are also at work.

The five fishermen are reported safe in some accounts, while other reports say three remain stranded. The exact number of missing personnel has been given as nine, ten or eleven across different official and media statements. All sources agree that the second pair of boats overturned during the rescue attempt.

Floodwaters from the Bethupalli tank have flowed downstream into the Veshyakanthala tank. The water submerged a nearby double-bedroom housing complex up to the first floor. Local authorities have relocated residents to relief centres.

The incident occurred on the evening of November 4. Rescue operations continued into the night. Officials have not yet reported any recoveries of the missing personnel. The strong current and the presence of fishing nets have complicated boat movements in the tank.

Telangana has seen elevated water levels in several reservoirs after recent rainfall. The Bethupalli tank is an irrigation structure. Local fishermen routinely set nets near the spillway when water rises. The sudden increase in flow trapped the group before rescue teams could reach them.

The state government has mobilised additional resources. NDRF units bring specialised equipment for water rescues. Aerial drones allow delivery of flotation devices without putting more personnel in the water. Ground teams continue to search the banks and downstream areas.

No official statement has confirmed the status of the missing personnel as of the latest reports. Families and colleagues are waiting at the site. The collector is coordinating the response from the location. Further updates are expected as visibility improves and additional teams complete their sweeps of the tank.