Telangana Tunnel Incident: Rescue Efforts Reach Day Six
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Synopsis
As of February 27, the rescue operation for eight individuals trapped in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district has entered the sixth day, with intensified efforts from various forces to clear debris and reach the trapped workers.
Key Takeaways
- Rescue operations for trapped individuals in SLBC tunnel are ongoing.
- Efforts include using gas cutters on damaged TBM parts.
- High-level meeting led to enhanced rescue strategies.
- Reinforced structures are being implemented for safety.
- Experts from previous tunnel rescue operations are assisting.
Hyderabad, Feb 27 (NationPress) The rescue operation for eight individuals trapped in the partially-collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district has now reached its sixth day as of Thursday. The Army, Navy, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local miners are intensifying their efforts to clear silt and debris from the tunnel.
Rescue crews are utilizing gas cutters to remove damaged sections of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).
Efforts were ramped up late Wednesday following a high-level meeting that included military tunnel specialists and state ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, who resolved to implement a comprehensive action plan. The meeting led to a decision for thorough dewatering and desilting.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy is optimistic that progress in reaching the trapped individuals could occur 'very soon.'
The Minister mentioned that the rescue mission is in its final stages. “With the enhanced rescue operations, deployment of elite teams, and new advanced technologies, we anticipate a breakthrough in reaching the trapped workers shortly,” stated Uttam Kumar Reddy.
He expressed hope that the rescue efforts would conclude within two days and that new strategies were being put in place to address challenges within the tunnel.
As part of the intensified rescue efforts, the government has also implemented reinforced support structures to stabilize the access route to the TBM, ensuring safe navigation for rescuers through the tunnel.
“Officials have been directed to expedite debris removal and bolster weakened tunnel sections to avert any secondary collapses,” remarked Uttam Kumar Reddy.
The government is also enlisting experts in tunnel construction from border areas and those with experience in past rescue operations following similar incidents in other regions.
Rescue teams faced challenges advancing further for the past two days due to silt accumulation of 7-9 meters in the last 40-meter stretch.
Upon Telangana's request, the National Disaster Management Authority has sought assistance from the National Remote Sensing Centre and Geological Survey of India to undertake a surface and subsurface assessment of the incident site, which is crucial for the safety of the teams involved in the rescue.
The accident transpired 14 kilometers inside the tunnel. While rescue teams had reached 13.5 kilometers, they were unable to progress further over the past two days due to mud, debris from the TBM, and water seepage.
