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

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When 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 a SDRF personnel, Naresh, who held on to the tree throughout the intervening night until the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team rescued him and others in the early hours of 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.”

Three rescue personnel clung to a tree after two boats capsized in Bethupalli Peddacheruvu in Khammam, Telangana. | Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

A constable of the Telangana State Special Police (TSSP)’s 6th Battalion near Kothagudem, Mr. Naresh recounted his terrifying experience 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 (November 4, 2026) evening. All the missing personnel 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 to rescue the stranded fishermen, 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 strong currents. We managed to climb a tree and spent the entire night there amid the raging floodwaters. An NDRF team finally rescued us in a boat just before dawn,” Naresh recalled.

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.

They managed to stay afloat for some time before grabbing tree branches along the lake’s course as they were wearing life-jackets, said a police official who was part of the rescue operation. He attributed their survival to their training and ability to persevere until help arrived.

Khammam Collector Divakara T.S. and Bhadradri Kothagudem, Superintendent of Police B. Rohit Raju speaking to a rescued SDRF member at Bethupalli Peddacheruvu site in Khammam district on Thursday (November 5, 2026) | Photo Credit: By Arrangement

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

The rescue operation involved coordinated efforts by the NDRF, SDRF, and Fire Services personnel. Their sustained efforts 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.

Speaking to the media, the Minister lauded the NDRF, SDRF and other emergency response teams for their tireless efforts and perseverance and felicitated the personnel involved in the operation.

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