Rescue operation for eight workers trapped in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse continues at full intensity. On Saturday a tunnel collapsed at the 14 km mark near Domalapenta in Nagarkurnool district. Eight workers including four labourers and four construction employees continue to stay trapped inside the collapsed tunnel.
Chances of Survival Slim
Telangana Minister J Krishna Rao is leading a rescue operation while facing major obstacles from debris accumulation and flooding inside the tunnel. The workers trapped in the tunnel consist of engineers and operators who are trapped in a section cut off by extensive muck accumulation. “The conditions are dire, with muck and water making progress extremely difficult. Rescuers are navigating the tunnel using rubber tubes and wooden planks to bypass the debris,” said Minister Krishna Rao. He noted that the chances of survival are slim, but rescue teams are pushing forward with relentless efforts.
The rescue operation receives support from multiple organisations which include the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Army and Navy units. The rescue teams have travelled 13.5 kilometers into the tunnel where they face a challenge from a 200-meter debris-filled section. Operations to find trapped workers remain challenging because low-lying sections from 11 km to 13 km maintain their waterlogged condition.
Advanced Equipment Deployed to Survey Tunnel
Unstable sections in the tunnel pose ongoing dangers to the rescue operation because shifting boulders present risks of resulting tunnel collapses. The risks of unstable conditions demanded advanced equipment such as robotic and endoscopic cameras for tunnel interior inspection. The removal of water accumulation from the site is currently happening together with operations to de-water the area so that additional digging can proceed.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has been actively monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates from rescue teams. “We are closely observing every development and are ensuring that all available resources are used to expedite the operation,” said the Chief Minister.
Assisting in the operation are the Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force and a group of rat miners who previously helped with similar rescue efforts in Uttarakhand. Despite the grim outlook, the rescue teams continue to work around the clock in hopes of bringing the trapped workers to safety.
Families of Trapped Workers Anxiously Await Updates
The trapped workers’ families, especially those from Jharkhand, have been anxiously waiting for updates. Jharkhand’s Health Minister, Irfan Ansari, has been in constant contact with Telangana officials to track the progress of the rescue.
While the situation remains critical, the authorities continue to push forward, focusing on clearing the debris and water to reach the trapped workers as quickly as possible. The difficult conditions inside the tunnel make this a race against time.
