Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday congratulated the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire services personnel and district officials for their efforts in rescuing fishermen and rescue personnel stranded in floodwaters at Bethupalli tank in Sathupalli mandal of Khammam district.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when five fishermen went to the overflow point of Bethupalli tank to set up fishing nets. They became stranded following heavy inflows into the tank due to rains triggered by Cyclone Murasu.
Following an alert, officials deployed 11 SDRF personnel from the Sixth Battalion at Chatakonda in Bhadradri Kothagudem district to rescue the fishermen. The personnel entered the floodwaters in two boats and brought all five fishermen safely to shore.
However, while returning, both boats capsized due to strong currents, sweeping the SDRF personnel towards the Tammileru stream.
All 11 SDRF personnel were initially reported missing. Ten of them and four fishermen were rescued by the NDRF on Thursday morning. Later all the SDRF personnel and five fishermen were rescued.
The Chief Minister appreciated the coordinated efforts of the NDRF, other rescue teams and the district administration in carrying out the rescue operation.
He praised the courage and dedication of the personnel involved in saving lives under difficult conditions.
Revanth Reddy also congratulated the district collector and officials and staff of various departments for effectively coordinating the rescue operation.