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

KHAMMAM After 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 an SDRF personnel, B. Naresh, who held on to the tree throughout the intervening night until the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team rescued him and others early on 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.” A head constable of the Telangana State Special Police (TSSP)’s 6th Battalion near Kothagudem, Mr. Naresh recounted his terrifying experiences 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 evening.