Hyderabad: Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Protection Agency (HYDRAA) rescued nine workers stranded in Mir Alam Tank near the zoo during a risky midnight operation on Sunday after their boat engine failed.
The stranded group included engineers and labourers involved in development works at Mir Alam Tank. Earlier in the day, they entered the lake by boat to conduct soil testing. The test was required for a proposed bridge across the tank.
However, after nightfall, the boat engine developed a fault. Soon after, darkness enveloped the lake, leaving the workers stranded midstream. Dense aquatic weeds further blocked movement and slowed any escape attempt.
Therefore, the group tried to push the boat manually. Yet, thick water hyacinth stopped the boat from moving forward. Meanwhile, the fear of crocodiles inside the tank increased panic. As a result, the workers dialled 100 and sought urgent help.
HYDRAA DRF team conducts risky midnight rescue at Mir Alam Tank
Immediately, the police control room routed the call to the HYDRAA Disaster Response Force control room. HYDRAA Special Fire Officer Jameel and the rescue team in charge, Swamy, spoke directly with the stranded workers. They assured them of a safe rescue and asked them to remain calm.
Meanwhile, rescue teams faced serious challenges due to darkness and heavy vegetation. Therefore, the stranded workers used mobile phone lights to indicate their location. Using torches, DRF teams navigated the lake carefully with rescue boats. Soon after reaching the spot, the team brought four people safely to the shore.
Later, the rescue team returned to the lake without delay. In the second trip, they evacuated the remaining five persons. Consequently, all nine workers reached the shore safely, ending the tense operation.
After the rescue, the workers thanked the HYDRAA DRF teams for their swift action. They said the personnel stayed in constant phone contact and offered reassurance throughout the ordeal. Moreover, locals and workers praised the courage of the rescue teams, noting that fear of crocodiles had made the situation far more dangerous.