Nine rescue workers missing after flood‑hit boats capsize in Khammam

Nine rescue workers, including five State Disaster Response Force members, went missing after their two inflatable boats capsized in the swollen Peddacheruvu river in Sathupalli mandal, Khammam district, on Wednesday evening. The teams, made up of SDRF and Fire Services personnel, were attempting to evacuate five fishermen stranded in floodwaters. Strong winds and powerful currents caused the boats to overturn. Khammam Collector Divakara T.S. arrived at the scene with other officials to oversee the rescue. Police officers joined the effort, and National Disaster Response Force units were mobilised. Drones were deployed to air‑drop life jackets and to survey the river’s condition. The five fishermen were rescued safely, sources said. Search and rescue operations continued through Wednesday night, with authorities hoping to locate the missing personnel. As of the latest update at 10:53 pm IST, the missing personnel had not been found.

Context

The State Disaster Response Force and Fire Services regularly conduct flood rescues in Telangana, where monsoon‑driven rivers often swell quickly. Capsizing of small rescue boats is a known risk when wind and current intensify.