Boat Capsizes in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari, 15 Feared Dead
The boat was travelling from Talarivaripalem to Pashuvulanka in the East Godavari district.
Hyderabad, July 14: A boat-capsizing incident was reported on Sunday in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district. Nearly 15 are feared dead as the boat with 40 people on board, mostly students, turned over after hitting the pillar of a bridge in Gautami river -- which is a tributary of the Godavari.
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force have been deployed for the rescue operation. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is monitoring the situation.
Survivors who were on the wrecked boat claim the river was gushing at a high speed due to the high water-level, which "made it difficult" for even those who know swimming to reach the shore.
Among those who survived, at least 10 were saved by local village swimmers, news agency PTI reported.
The boat was travelling from Talarivaripalem to Pashuvulanka in the East Godavari district. Waterways is a common mode of transport in the region as a number of villages are engulfed with river water on all sides.
Villagers in East Godavari region have been demanding safer modes of commutation as students in the region have to take boats to and fro for attending the educational institutes.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 14, 2018 07:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).