Rescue Team Reaches End of Tunnel in Telangana, Fate of Trapped Individuals Uncertain
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Synopsis
On February 26, the rescue operation for eight individuals trapped in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel in Telangana advanced as workers reached the end of the 14-km tunnel. Despite the progress, the fate of the trapped individuals remains uncertain due to mud and debris blocking further access.
Key Takeaways
- The rescue operation has reached the end of a 14-km tunnel.
- Trapped individuals' fate remains unknown.
- Slush removal is critical for further progress.
- Water seepage poses significant risks to rescuers.
- Multiple agencies are involved in the complex operation.
Hyderabad, Feb 26 (NationPress) The mission to save eight individuals trapped within the partially-collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district made some strides on the fifth day on Wednesday, as the rescue team successfully reached the end of the 14-km tunnel.
A group of rescuers from various agencies managed to cross the last 40-meter segment and returned, but there remains no update on the status of the eight trapped individuals.
Officials reported that the entire passage was filled with slush and debris. They will now determine how to approach the final phase of the rescue.
Previously, tunnel specialists from the Border Security Force (BSF) were enlisted to assist in reaching the head section of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).
With slush obstructing further movement, experts from various organizations concluded that removing the slush is essential for the success of the mission.
During a review meeting with Telangana ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, senior officials involved in the rescue operation indicated that actions were being taken to clear the slush to access the final 40 meters.
Due to the mud and debris coupled with ongoing water seepage, rescue teams had not made any progress for over 24 hours.
A group of rat miners entered the tunnel to evaluate the circumstances. Their representative informed the media that they could not locate the TBM and feared it might be buried beneath the mud.
Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army, the Navy, and other agencies have faced challenges advancing due to 7-9 meter high mud, while the continuous water seepage has rendered the entire operation perilous for the rescuers.
At Telangana's request, the National Disaster Management Authority has enlisted the National Remote Sensing Centre and Geological Survey of India to conduct surface and subsurface evaluations of the incident area, crucial for ensuring the safety of rescue personnel.
Despite the involvement of experts from numerous agencies nationwide and the deployment of advanced equipment, the operation is believed to be one of the most challenging tunnel rescues in India.
On Wednesday, Irrigation Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy convened a meeting with the officials from various agencies to assess the situation and plan the next steps.
Officials reported that unless the slush is cleared and dewatering is conducted, rescue teams would be unable to progress to the specific location of the incident where two engineers, two technical staff, and four workers remain trapped.
The mishap transpired 14 km within the tunnel. Although rescue crews had reached 13.5 km, they were unable to advance further for the past two days due to mud, debris from the TBM, and seepage. The Navy’s special forces divers, known as Marcos, were unable to navigate through the slush.
Rescue personnel reported that additional soil is collapsing from new cavities at the precise site of the tunnel failure, contributing to the mud accumulation. Given that the slush comprises over 70 percent, the Navy divers have been unable to pass through.
With over 100 hours elapsing since the accident, the survival prospects for the trapped individuals are considered slim.
The Border Road Organisation is also set to join the rescue efforts on Wednesday. The operation includes the Army, Navy, SDRF, National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation, Singareni Collieries Company Limited, L&T, and HYDRAA.
Disaster Management Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar continues to oversee the rescue efforts alongside other senior officials.
The tail unit of the TBM was located 50 meters from the end of the 14 km tunnel. The head section of the tunnel has a secure container for workers to take refuge in emergencies. It remains unclear if the trapped individuals could access the container when the roof collapsed and water seepage intensified.
Meanwhile, Jaypee Group founder Jaiprakash Gaur visited the tunnel on Wednesday and stated they are exerting every effort to rescue the trapped individuals. Jaypee is the contractor for the SLBC project.
Gaur mentioned that after the rescue operation concludes, the company will recommence work on the project. He informed media representatives that they have encountered similar incidents throughout tunnel construction and noted that this is the sixth or seventh accident he has faced in his career.
