In the Khammam district of Telangana, the landscape is defined by its water bodies, but on November 4, 2026, those waters turned hostile. As Cyclone Murasu battered the region, the relentless rainfall transformed the local geography, causing floodwaters to surge with terrifying speed. Among those caught in the path of the rising deluge were local fishermen and members of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). What began as a routine effort to navigate the changing environment quickly devolved into a fight for survival as the lake swelled, trapping the personnel and residents in a precarious position.
By the morning of November 5, 2026, the situation at Bethupalli Lake had reached a breaking point. The heavy, persistent rainfall had created currents far too powerful for standard navigation. As rescue attempts were initiated to reach those stranded by the initial flooding, the mission took a disastrous turn. Two separate boats, attempting to navigate the churning waters of the lake, capsized. The incident left 11 personnel missing, suddenly adding the rescuers themselves to the list of those in need of urgent extraction.
All 11 Missing Telangana SDRF Personnel Rescued After Two Boats Overturn in Flooded Lake https://t.co/a0c0l0xAlF #Telangana #Khammam #SDRF #RescueOperation #BethupalliTank #HeavyRain
The scale of the crisis was multifaceted. Before the boats capsized, the situation had already involved five fishermen who had been stranded by the rising waters, alongside three others who had been caught in the initial surge of the currents. When the rescue boats themselves succumbed to the lake’s volatility, the total number of individuals requiring rescue expanded significantly. The operation was no longer just about retrieving civilians; it had become a complex, high-stakes recovery mission involving a mix of SDRF personnel and local fishermen, all fighting to stay afloat in the dark, turbulent water.
Throughout the night of November 5, the teams worked under extreme duress, battling the elements to locate the 11 missing individuals.
As news of the capsized boats spread, a massive, coordinated response was launched. The operation brought together the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local Fire Services, forming a joint task force to comb the lake. The urgency of the situation required precision and bravery, as the rescuers navigated the same treacherous conditions that had claimed the previous boats. Throughout the night of November 5, the teams worked under extreme duress, battling the elements to locate the 11 missing individuals.
Deeply concerned over SDRF personnel going missing during an operation to rescue fishermen stranded in floodwaters at Bethupalli Lake in Sathupalli, Khammam district, Telangana. Spoke to @Collector_KMM Shri Divakar garu to assess the situation and immediately coordinated with senior @NDRFHQ officials for the deployment of rescue teams. NDRF personnel have been deployed and are currently carrying out rescue operations on a war footing. We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in constant coordination with the authorities to ensure the safe return of everyone involved. @narendramodi @PMOIndia @AmitShah @PIBHomeAffairs @NitinNabin
By the end of the day on November 5, the relentless efforts of the joint teams yielded success. All 11 of the missing personnel were successfully located and pulled from the water. The operation was a testament to the coordination between the NDRF and state-level fire crews, who managed to stabilize the situation despite the ongoing threat posed by the cyclone’s aftermath. The successful extraction of the 11 missing individuals marked a turning point in the district's response to the disaster.
While the rescue of the 11 personnel was a significant victory, the mission remained incomplete. Even as the majority were brought to safety, authorities noted that one individual remained unaccounted for. Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, closely monitoring the situation, emphasized the gravity of the final phase of the operation. "I have directed officials to ensure the last SDRF personnel is safely brought to the shore as soon as possible," he stated, highlighting that the mission would not be considered finished until every person was accounted for.
Ten SDRF personnel feared missing after their boats capsized during a rescue operation in a swollen lake in Khammam district of Telangana were rescued safely, officials said on Thursday, November 5. https://t.co/tHuST4r5UG
As the dust—and the water—began to settle, local leadership moved to recognize the immense effort put forth by the responders. Minister Tummala Nageshwar Rao expressed his deep appreciation for the collective bravery shown by the teams on the ground. In a statement acknowledging the success of the operation, he praised the NDRF, SDRF, and the fire services personnel for their dedication, noting: "ఎన్డీఆర్ఎఫ్ బృందాలను, ఎస్డిఆర్ఎఫ్ బృందాలను, ఫైర్స్ సిబ్బందిని అభినందించారు" (He congratulated the NDRF teams, the SDRF teams, and the fire services personnel). His gratitude extended to the broader effort that had successfully saved 16 fishermen throughout the duration of the crisis, reflecting a community coming together to mitigate the damage of a natural catastrophe.