The search operation to rescue the people involved in the Devipatnam boat capsize incident is still underway.
Approximately 5.10 lakh cusecs of water is flowing in the Godavari river. The quantity of flowing water is also creating trouble for the SDRF in continuing the search operation.
The National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) found the boat, named Royal Vasistha, at a depth of 315 feet in the Godavari river, Devipatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
According to sources, the boat capsized due to the heavy flow of water in the Godavari river, on the 15th of September.
The Andhra Pradesh Government arranged for approximately 18 ambulances, ready to treat those rescued.
Speaking about the current situation, the SDRF and the NDRF rescued 27 passengers so far and recovered 8 dead bodies, while 25 people are still missing. The rescue operation is still underway. The AP Government constituted a medical team, specifically for conducting the postmortem of the recovered dead bodies.
The autopsy of the bodies will begin during the early hours of the 17th of September.
Apart from the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders, leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) also reached the spot.
Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Chief Minister of AP, reached the spot and conducted an aerial survey. After the survey, Mr. Reddy met the families of the deceased and will visit the hospital where the victims are undergoing treatment.
The district administration made arrangements for the victims to stay at a 3 star hotel after the medical treatment and trauma counselling. They will be under the supervision of the State Government until their safety is assured and their family members come to take them.
After meeting the kin of the deceased and the victims of the incident, Mr. Reddy, accompanied by M. Sucharitha, the Home Minister of AP and P. Anil Kumar, the Irrigation Minister of AP, will conduct a review meeting with the AP Government officials.
Later, Jagan Mohan Reddy will also address a press conference and brief the press about the situation in Devipatnam, as the media is not allowed to enter the incident spot due to safety measures.
This is not the first such incident. In the past, approximately 175 people lost their lives due to boats capsizing in the Godavari river.
Stay tuned for further updates.
