Hyderabad, September 15: Hours after a boat capsized in Godavari river in Devipatnam of Andhra Pradesh, state Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia each to the families of the deceased. Until the last report, 11 people have been confirmed drowned. Andhra Pradesh: Boat Capsizes in River in Devipatnam of East Godavari District, Several Reported Missing. 

Following the reports of a boat capsize, rescue operations by National Disaster Response Force or NDRF began, along with the helicopters of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). The CM also directed officials to suspend all boating services in the region immediately.

According to the information, 61 people were on-board at the time of the incident and were tourists from the Gandipochamma temple on the banks of the river to the scenic Papikondalu hills for sightseeing. 23 people have been rescued till now.

It is to be known that Godavari River has swelled in the past few days with over 5 lakh cusecs of floodwater due to excessive rains since Sunday. Similar incidents took place in Madhya Pradesh a few days ago where 11 people drowned during an idol immersion at the end of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 15, 2019 05:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).