On Sunday afternoon at least 11 people died, while 23 were rescued after a tourist boat carrying 61 people capsized in the swollen Godavari River at the East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh.
Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams with 30members each have been sent for rescue operations. Several passengers have beenreported missing yet.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has orderedimmediate suspension of licenses of all boats operating in the Godavari Riverand has ordered an inquiry into the matter. He has also announced Rs 10 lakhsex-gratia each to the families of the deceased.
The river has been tempestuous for the past few days, and over 5.13 lakh cusecs of floodwater was flowing on Sunday afternoon when the mishap occurred.
Addressing to the media, Tourism Minister MuthamsettySrinivasa Rao said that the boat, Royal Vashishta, didn't have the permissionfrom the Tourism Department but had permission from the Kakinada portauthorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to expressgrief over the mishap and said, "Extremely pained by the capsizing of a boat inAndhra Pradesh's East Godavari. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.Rescue operations are currently underway at the site of the tragedy."
Reportedly, police and other rescue teams have started offfrom East and West Godavari districts for the accident spot, but it could takesome time for them to reach because of the swollen state of the river.
