Khammam, 5 November (H.S.): Ten State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel who went missing after two boats capsized during a rescue operation at Bethupalli Lake in Khammam district were rescued safely by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, officials said on Thursday.

The SDRF personnel had been deployed in two boats on Wednesday night to rescue fishermen stranded in the overflowing lake in Sathupalli mandal. Strong water currents caused both boats to capsize during the operation.

The personnel managed to reach trees near the lake shore and held on until NDRF teams rescued them in an operation that continued through the night. Khammam District Collector Divakara T S confirmed that all 10 personnel had been rescued.

The fishermen stranded in the lake had been rescued on Wednesday night, the Collector said.

Khammam district has been receiving rainfall under the influence of Cyclone Murasu. Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy appreciated the officials and rescue teams for completing the operation successfully.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar