Eight dead, 37 missing as boat capsizes in flooded Godavari
As many as 27 rescued from the vessel that had no permission to operate
16/09/2019 , Rajulapudi Srinivas , Tharun Boda, Rajamahendravaram
Going all-out: Rescue operation going on in Godavari. Special ArrangementSpecial Arrangement
In a major tragedy in Andhra Pradesh, a private boat carrying tourists to Papikondalu capsized in Godavari River near Katchuluru village of East Godavari district on Sunday, leaving at least eight dead and over 37 missing. As many as 27 were rescued.
The accident occurred post-noon when the boat ‘Vashista’ headed to the tourist destination against an inflow of about five lakh cusecs of floodwater in the Godavari, which has been in spate for the past several days. The boat, which had no permission to operate from the government, began the trip from Singanapalli Revu in Devipatnam mandal.
Alert locals of Katchuluru village rescued about 14 persons. Most of the tourists who survived were wearing life jackets, locals said.
Admitted to hospital
The survivors were initially admitted to the Rampachodavaram Area Hospital and they quickly recovered.
East Godavari Superintendent of Police Adnan Nayeem Asmi said there were 72 persons on board, including about eight boat crew members, at the time of the accident. Eight bodies have been retrieved.
However, the number of persons on board and the number of victims couldn’t be confirmed as different government agencies, including the district administration and the Revenue Department, were giving different figures.
While some of the rescue teams have been withdrawn from the operation, National Disaster Response Force teams will continue the search for survivors through the night.
An Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) chopper has also been pressed into service. More rescue teams will be engaged early on Monday.
Navy deploys aircraft
The Navy has deployed a Dornier aircraft to assist the rescue operations.
Two Naval helicopters would also be deployed from INS Dega at daybreak on Monday, according to an official release.
Deep divers team
A specialised deep divers team with ‘Side Scan Sonar’ equipment from Uttarakhand will join the rescue operations on Monday.
A majority of the tourists were from Hyderabad, Warangal and Visakhapatnam cities in Telangana.
The State government has announced an exgratia of ₹10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.
Boat services suspended
The government ordered the immediate suspension of boat services in the region.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who enquired about the accident, directed the officials to carry out the rescue operations on a war footing.
President Ramnath Kovind tweeted that his prayers were with the bereaved families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a message on Twitter that he was extremely pained by the tragedy.
Mr. Modi said his thoughts were with the bereaved families and that rescue operations were under way at the site of the tragedy. He also asked available Ministers in the district to visit the spot and supervise the rescue and search operations.
Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan offered his condolences to members of the bereaved families.
As many as 27 rescued from the vessel that had no permission to operate
16/09/2019 , Rajulapudi Srinivas , Tharun Boda, Rajamahendravaram
Going all-out: Rescue operation going on in Godavari. Special ArrangementSpecial Arrangement
In a major tragedy in Andhra Pradesh, a private boat carrying tourists to Papikondalu capsized in Godavari River near Katchuluru village of East Godavari district on Sunday, leaving at least eight dead and over 37 missing. As many as 27 were rescued.
The accident occurred post-noon when the boat ‘Vashista’ headed to the tourist destination against an inflow of about five lakh cusecs of floodwater in the Godavari, which has been in spate for the past several days. The boat, which had no permission to operate from the government, began the trip from Singanapalli Revu in Devipatnam mandal.
Alert locals of Katchuluru village rescued about 14 persons. Most of the tourists who survived were wearing life jackets, locals said.
Admitted to hospital
The survivors were initially admitted to the Rampachodavaram Area Hospital and they quickly recovered.
East Godavari Superintendent of Police Adnan Nayeem Asmi said there were 72 persons on board, including about eight boat crew members, at the time of the accident. Eight bodies have been retrieved.
However, the number of persons on board and the number of victims couldn’t be confirmed as different government agencies, including the district administration and the Revenue Department, were giving different figures.
While some of the rescue teams have been withdrawn from the operation, National Disaster Response Force teams will continue the search for survivors through the night.
An Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) chopper has also been pressed into service. More rescue teams will be engaged early on Monday.
Navy deploys aircraft
The Navy has deployed a Dornier aircraft to assist the rescue operations.
Two Naval helicopters would also be deployed from INS Dega at daybreak on Monday, according to an official release.
Deep divers team
A specialised deep divers team with ‘Side Scan Sonar’ equipment from Uttarakhand will join the rescue operations on Monday.
A majority of the tourists were from Hyderabad, Warangal and Visakhapatnam cities in Telangana.
The State government has announced an exgratia of ₹10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.
Boat services suspended
The government ordered the immediate suspension of boat services in the region.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who enquired about the accident, directed the officials to carry out the rescue operations on a war footing.
President Ramnath Kovind tweeted that his prayers were with the bereaved families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a message on Twitter that he was extremely pained by the tragedy.
Mr. Modi said his thoughts were with the bereaved families and that rescue operations were under way at the site of the tragedy. He also asked available Ministers in the district to visit the spot and supervise the rescue and search operations.
Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan offered his condolences to members of the bereaved families.
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