The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continued its rescue operations on Sunday morning for eight labourers trapped in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana.
The operation, which has faced significant challenges due to debris and water accumulation, advanced deeper into the tunnel but has yet to locate the missing workers.
Rescuers have covered approximately 13.5 kilometres inside the tunnel, utilising locomotives and conveyor belts, but a 200-metre stretch filled with debris has hindered access to the collapsed section.
NDRF Deputy Commandant Sukhendu Datta said, “Yesterday around 10 PM we went inside to check what the situation is like. The locomotives were used to go inside the tunnel. From the gate of the tunnel, we covered around 13.5 km in total. We covered 11 km by train and then we covered the rest of 2 km by conveyor belt and by walking.”
He added that despite their efforts, the last 200 metres remain completely blocked.
“We had reached till the end of the Tunnel Boring Machine, TBM. We shouted and tried to get any reply from the trapped workers but unfortunately, we could not know anything because there is a patch of around 200 metres which is filled with debris. Till the debris is cleared we cannot know the exact location of the victims,” Datta maintained.
Also read: Eight trapped in tunnel mishap in T'gana, rescue efforts on
Rescuers are now working to clear accumulated water between the 11 and 13 km mark before proceeding with further operations. “The patch between the 11 to 13 km is filled with water, so right now we are in the process of removing the water. When that is done, we will start the rescue operations,” Datta stated.
Earlier today, teams from both the NDRF and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) encountered severe obstacles in reaching the affected section.
“There’s no chance to go to the spot inside the tunnel. It has completely collapsed and mud is reaching up to the knees. We will have to take another step,” an SDRF official said.
The tunnel collapse occurred on Saturday morning when a three-metre section of the roof of an under-construction stretch gave way at the 14 km mark near Domalapenta in Nagarkurnool district.
The collapse took place just four days after construction work resumed following a prolonged hiatus. While several workers managed to escape, eight remained trapped.
The Army’s Engineer Regiment, stationed under the Infantry Division at Secunderabad, has been placed on standby with an Excavator Dozer to assist in the rescue operations.
Upon receiving a request from the Chief Secretary of Telangana, the Army swiftly mobilised its Engineer Task Force (ETF) for the critical rescue mission.
The ETF is equipped with specialised engineering teams, a medical detachment from the Field Ambulance of the Army Medical Corps, an ambulance with three high-capacity pumping sets, armoured hoses, and other essential equipment.
Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, meanwhile, stated that the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse was triggered by a geological crack that was initially underestimated.
Speaking on the incident, Reddy said, “The SLBC tunnel project is a very old project which started 20 years back... Due to various impediments, the project is going very slowly, but when completed, the project is considered to be a boon for Telangana.”
Detailing the sequence of events leading to the collapse, he added, “When this incident took place, I was informed that due to a crack in the geological line, water started coming inside... but nobody took it seriously... The American company project manager told me that he thought it was like a normal development and was going ahead with it. Then the small crack became bigger till water and mud rushed into the tunnel at once in a big way... There were about 70-80 people working at that time... 8 people are trapped inside the tunnel.”
The minister assured that all possible efforts were being made to rescue the trapped workers. “We have requested the services of the Indian Army and NDRF. Both have reached the site, and I'll be there early morning again to oversee the rescue operations. We are doing our best to save the lives of 8 people,” he stated.
Rescue operations are expected to continue into the coming hours as teams work against time to reach the trapped workers.
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