‘It’s like a rebirth’: Rescuer-turned-survivor recounts ordeal after boats capsized in Telangana’s lake

After 10 personnel from State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire Department scattered across Bethupalli Peddacheruvu in Khammam on Wednesday (November 4, 2026), three of them clung to a tree after two boats capsized.

One of them was an SDRF personnel, B. Naresh, who held on to the tree throughout the intervening night until the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team rescued him and others early on Thursday. After surviving the ordeal, Mr. Naresh – whose one of the tasks is to rescue people from life threatening situations – said, “It is like a rebirth to me.”

A head constable of the Telangana State Special Police (TSSP)’s 6th Battalion near Kothagudem, Mr. Naresh recounted his terrifying experiences as he reunited with his family members, who had spent an anxious night at the rescue site awaiting his safe return.

Mr. Naresh was among the 10 rescue personnel who were swept away by the gushing floodwaters when two boats capsized during an operation to rescue six fishermen stranded in the lake on Wednesday evening. All the missing personnel as well as nine stranded fishermen were eventually rescued after a strenuous search operation that continued for more than 12 hours.

“Soon after we ventured into the lake in two boats at around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, the water level suddenly rose and the currents became very strong. I, along with two others, jumped into the water just before the boats capsized under the impact of the strong currents. We managed to climb a tree and spent the entire night there amid the raging floodwaters. An NDRF team finally rescued us just before dawn,” Naresh recalled.

Swept away for nearly half-a-km

Another SDRF personnel recounted how he clung to a tree branch after being swept nearly half-a-kilometer away from the spot where the boats capsized, towards the far end of the lake.

The rescuers wearing life jackets managed to stay afloat before grabbing tree branches along the lake’s course, said a police official who was part of the rescue operation. Their training and perseverance helped them survive until rescue teams reached them, he added.

Suspected reason for water surge and boats capsizing

Officials suspected that a breach in a minor irrigation tank upstream might have contributed to the sudden surge in the water level in Bhupali Peddacheruvu following heavy rainfall triggered by Cyclone Murasu. The strong currents and sudden rise in water levels were believed to have led to the capsizing of the two boats.

The NDRF, SDRF, and Fire Services personnel jointly carried out the strenuous search-and-rescue operation and eventually ensured the safe return of all those caught in the floodwaters. Khammam Collector Divakara T.S. supervised the operation.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy visited Bethuapalli Peddacheruvu on Thursday morning, lauded the rescue teams for their tireless efforts and felicitated the personnel involved in the operation.

Published - November 05, 2026 07:47 pm IST