9 rescue workers missing as boats capsize in floodwaters in Telangana

Nine rescue workers are feared missing after two inflatable boats capsized in the overflowing Peddachervu in Khammam district, Telangana. Among the missing are 5 members of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). These 9 members from two different teams engaged in rescue operations fell victim to the accident on the evening of Wednesday, 4 November, 2026.

According to a report by The Hindu, these rescue teams were engaged in an operation to safely evacuate 5 fishermen stranded in the floodwaters. As these teams of SDRF and Fire Services personnel moved forward to rescue the fishermen in the overflowing river, their two boats capsized due to strong winds and a heavy water current. However, it has been reported that the 5 fishermen stranded in the floodwaters are safe.

Khammam Collector Divakar T.S., along with other officials, reached the site and was supervising the rescue operations. Preparations were made to call in NDRF teams to accelerate rescue efforts and to drop life jackets via drones. According to the latest information received on the night of Wednesday, 4 November, search and rescue operations were ongoing continuously.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy has expressed deep concern over the incident. He stated that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has already reviewed the situation and instructed the District Collector to undertake rescue operations on a war footing to safely bring out the missing SDRF personnel. The Minister instructed officials to expedite rescue efforts at the site and ensure the availability of all necessary rescue equipment and boats. He asked officials of the concerned departments to work in close coordination to find the missing SDRF personnel. Mr. Reddy further added that he is in constant contact with the District Collector and is continuously monitoring the progress of the rescue operations. He will personally visit the site on the morning of Thursday, 5 November, to assess the situation and oversee the rescue operations. The Minister emphasised that the government's priority is to safely rescue the SDRF personnel and bring them back unharmed.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar has also intervened to accelerate efforts to locate the missing SDRF boats in the Satupalli Assembly constituency. He has directed the deployment of NDRF personnel for rescue operations. Upon learning of the incident, the Union Minister reviewed the situation and obtained details through a telephonic conversation with Khammam District Collector Divakar. He enquired about the progress of the ongoing search and rescue operations and instructed officials to intensify efforts to find the missing SDRF boats. Mr. Sanjay also spoke with senior NDRF officials and requested the immediate commencement of operations to locate the boats said to have drifted into the lake. Following his intervention, NDRF teams were mobilized on a war footing and sent to Satupalli to assist local authorities in the search mission. NDRF personnel have reached the site and are expected to join the ongoing rescue operations with the aim of locating the missing boats and ensuring the safety of the SDRF staff. District authorities and disaster response agencies are working in coordination to monitor the situation and conduct search operations.

SDRF was the state-level disaster response force that remained active for rescue operations during floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.