(Image source from: deccanherald.com)

Devipatnam (East Godavari, AP):
Around 30 people are feared missing after a boat capsized due to strong rainy winds in the Godavari River on Tuesday evening,

According to the district authorities, the boat was carrying around 40 people when the mishap took place, about 12 of them swam to saftey, but the rest are feared to be drowned.

The incident took place around 5:30pm due to bad weather conditions, said authorities

The boat was carrying passengers from Kondamodalu in west Godavari district to Polavaram.

Twenty boats with expert swimmers, and NDRF teams have been deployed into service to trace the missing people. The rescue operation is on in the river in pitch-dark condition.

Poor light is hampering the rescue work. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh state N Chandrababu Naidu has given proper directions to the district officials to take all necessary actions at with naval and air forces for the safety operations of the missing people.

This unfortunate incident took place near Manturu, 18 km from the mandal headquarters of Devipatnam, around 6pm.

The driver and organizer of the boat has surrendered before the police officials and the East Godavari district collector Karthikeya Misra has rushed to the scene.

According to victims, who swam safely to the shore, there were about 55 passengers, most of them were tribals, on the boat.

They complained that the operator did not heed their pleas to stop the boat even as strong winds were blowing.

Rescue operations are still underway.

By Lokesh