Hyderabad Lake Rescue: Nine Workers Saved from Crocodile-Infested Waters After Terrifying Boat Failure
What began as a routine field visit transformed into a harrowing overnight ordeal for nine workers and engineers who found themselves stranded in the middle of Hyderabad's Mir Alam Lake when their boat engine failed unexpectedly on Sunday night. The incident, which could have ended tragically, culminated in a successful rescue operation by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency Disaster Response Force (HYDRAA DRF), bringing all stranded individuals back to safety without injuries.
From Routine Testing to Terrifying Stranding
The rescued individuals were part of a professional team engaged in soil testing activities for a proposed bridge across the Mir Alam Tank, a crucial infrastructure project for the region. Following their standard operational procedures, the workers and engineers had ventured into the expansive lake during morning hours to conduct their assessments. The situation took a dramatic turn after nightfall when the boat's engine malfunctioned completely, leaving the group immobilized far from the shoreline with limited options for assistance.
When the stranded team contacted a mechanic for technical support, they received disheartening news: repairs could only be performed if the boat was physically brought back to shore. Attempts to manually push the vessel through the water proved futile due to thick mats of water hyacinth that clogged the lake's surface, creating natural barriers that prevented any meaningful movement.
Mounting Dangers in the Darkness
As complete darkness enveloped the lake, the situation grew increasingly frightening for the stranded group. With Mir Alam Lake known to be inhabited by crocodiles, the immobilized workers faced not only the psychological distress of being trapped but also genuine physical danger from potential wildlife encounters. Unable to move their vessel and growing increasingly anxious with each passing minute, the team made the critical decision to contact emergency services through Dial 100, Hyderabad's police emergency number.
The distress call was immediately relayed to the HYDRAA DRF control room, which promptly launched a comprehensive rescue operation. HYDRA station fire officer Jameel and rescue team in-charge Swamy established direct communication with the stranded group via telephone, providing crucial reassurance that professional help was en route and would reach them despite the challenging conditions.
Challenging Nighttime Rescue Operation
Reaching the stranded workers, however, presented significant operational challenges for the rescue team. Poor visibility conditions combined with dense floating vegetation made navigation through the lake extremely difficult, requiring specialized skills and equipment. In a coordinated effort, the stranded workers activated their mobile phone flashlights to create visible beacons in the darkness, while DRF personnel simultaneously scanned the lake surface using high-powered torches to locate their precise position.
The rescue operation proceeded in two carefully executed phases. During the initial trip, four individuals were safely transported ashore in the specialized DRF rescue boat. Demonstrating exceptional commitment to their mission, the rescue team immediately returned to the lake, assuring the remaining five workers that they would not be abandoned. In the second successful trip, all remaining individuals were rescued, completing what officials described as a flawless mission with no injuries reported.
Relief and Gratitude After Terrifying Experience
The rescued workers later recounted how the fear of crocodile attacks combined with being trapped in total darkness had left them deeply shaken. One of the rescued engineers expressed profound gratitude toward the responders, stating, "The way the HYDRAA teams reached us in pitch darkness and brought us back safely was nothing short of heroic. Their professionalism and courage in such dangerous conditions gave us hope when we needed it most."
This incident highlights both the unpredictable dangers that can emerge during routine fieldwork and the critical importance of well-trained emergency response teams equipped to handle complex rescue scenarios. The HYDRAA DRF's successful operation in challenging environmental conditions demonstrates Hyderabad's growing capabilities in disaster response and public safety management, particularly in aquatic emergencies that require specialized skills and equipment.
