A massive search and rescue operation was launched at Pavitra Sangamam by the teams of NDRF 10th Battalion and the State Disaster Response Force soon after the news of boat mishap broke on Sunday evening.
Three teams of NDRF and other forces were deployed at the Sangamam ghat and professional swimmers who dived in managed to rescue more than 15 persons.
“We received information five minutes after the incident occurred and local fishermen and boatmen had already rescued a few people. Later, the boat was broken to extract the victims stranded under it,” Commissioner of Police D. Gautam Sawang, who oversaw the rescue operations, said.
“Till the last person is found the operation will go on without any break,” Mr. Sawang said.
The NDRF teams anchored inflatable boats close to the capsized boat and lit the premises with portable inflatable emergency lighting system throughout the night.
NDRF top official Love Kumar and others also supervised the search operation.
Meanwhile, Home Minister N. Chinarajappa, Tourism department higher-ups, district authorities and others visited the spot and took stock of the situation.
On the other hand, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is closely monitoring the rescue and search operations.
District Collector B. Lakshmikantham said strict action would be taken against the persons responsible for the mishap.