Rescue Efforts Continue in Telangana Tunnel Collapse
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Three days after a section of an under-construction tunnel collapsed in Telangana's Nagarkurnool district, rescue operations are ongoing for eight workers trapped inside the site. Multiple agencies are involved, but the situation remains critical as the chances of survival diminish.
Key Takeaways
- Rescue operations continue for trapped workers.
- Multiple agencies are involved in the efforts.
- Advanced equipment has not yet been successful.
- Water and debris are obstructing the rescue.
- The incident has drawn attention from state officials.
Hyderabad, Feb 25 (NationPress) Three days post the collapse of a section of an under-construction tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district, rescue operations persist for the eight trapped workers.
On Tuesday, multiple teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, and other agencies continued their arduous efforts even as the chances of finding survivors diminished.
More than 72 hours after the incident involving the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, the situation remains dire for eight individuals, which includes two engineers and two machine operators.
Rescue teams are tirelessly working to dewater and desilt the tunnel to reach the area where the roof collapsed.
Despite ongoing efforts, the teams have not been able to access the front of the tunnel boring machine due to it being obstructed by muck.
Advanced equipment deployed for locating the trapped individuals has not produced any results, although L&T teams utilized endoscopic and robotic cameras on Monday.
This equipment was similarly used during the rescue operations for the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand, where 41 workers were rescued after 17 days in 2023.
Rat miners, who contributed to the Silkyara rescue, are aiding the NDRF, Army, and other teams in their efforts.
Officials reported that water and debris continue to obstruct the rescue attempts. The final stretch of approximately 40 meters is particularly challenging because of the muck and debris.
Teams from the NDRF, Army, Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), and Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) are engaged in intensive efforts to dewater and desilt the tunnel.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka is scheduled to visit the tunnel later today to assess the ongoing rescue operations. Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy will oversee the efforts.
The accident, which occurred during the excavation of the SLBC tunnel near Domalapenta, resulted in two injuries and left eight workers trapped.
At the time of the collapse, a total of 50 personnel were working in the left-side tunnel, with the incident occurring at the 14th km mark.
While 42 workers safely escaped, the eight individuals still trapped hail from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Among those trapped are project manager Manoj Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), machine engineer Srinivas (Uttar Pradesh), and machine operators Sunny Singh (J&K) and Gurpreet Singh (Punjab).
The four workers from Jharkhand are Sandeep Sahu, Santosh Sahu, Anju Sahu, and Jagta Khes.
