Six Hours of Terror: Fishermen Trapped by Water Hyacinth in Andhra Reservoir

Four fishermen from Andhra Pradesh were trapped for six hours in a reservoir after their boats became entangled in a thick mat of water hyacinth. The incident occurred in the Madduvalasa reservoir, near the village of Maggūru, where the fishermen had gone to retrieve their fishing nets. They found themselves unable to move their boats as the water hyacinth obstructed their path. They also faced harassment from insects, adding to their distress. The situation only eased when officials intervened, opening the reservoir gates to partially clear the water hyacinth. The incident highlights the persistent problem of water hyacinth in the region, which has led to previous fatalities. Local residents have urged authorities to take decisive action to remove the invasive plant, fearing similar incidents in the future.