 tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district. Despite relentless rescue efforts by Army.){kind=link}
On Saturday evening, tragedy struck in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district when a section of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel partially collapsed, trapping eight workers under a massive pile of debris and muck. Despite relentless rescue efforts over the past few days, the operation has faced severe challenges, particularly due to water accumulation and the extensive amount of debris obstructing access to the trapped individuals.
Since the collapse, rescue teams comprising personnel from the Army, Navy, and Disaster Response Force (DRF) have been deployed to the site. However, despite employing advanced equipment and strategic approaches, progress has been slow due to the difficult conditions inside the tunnel.
As the situation became increasingly dire, the Telangana government sought assistance from a specialized team of ‘rat miners’—the same experts who successfully rescued workers trapped in the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand. These specialists are known for their expertise in navigating confined spaces and extracting individuals from underground collapses.
Difficulties in the Rescue Mission
The conditions inside the collapsed tunnel have significantly hampered rescue efforts. Officials have reported that the sheer volume of debris—combined with the presence of water—has made it nearly impossible for conventional rescue techniques to succeed. Sniffer dogs were deployed to help locate the trapped individuals, but their movement was restricted by water accumulation, further complicating the operation.
Despite the dedication and commitment of a 584-member rescue team, which includes experts from various agencies, hopes are dwindling due to the challenging environment. Central and state disaster response teams have carried out tunnel inspections multiple times, yet the structural instability of the collapsed section has limited their ability to advance. Gas cutters have been employed to slice through metal rods obstructing the passage, but the operation remains painstakingly slow.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has issued strict instructions to ensure no effort is spared in the rescue attempt. However, the situation remains grim as no signs of life have been detected from the other side of the rubble, raising concerns about the fate of those trapped inside.
Bleak Survival Chances: Minister’s Statement
Amid the ongoing rescue operations, Telangana’s Minister for Roads and Buildings, Jupally Krishna Rao, shared a somber assessment of the situation. During an inspection of the accident site, he expressed deep concern over the chances of survival for the trapped workers.
“To be honest, the chances of their survival are very, very, very, very remote. Because, I went up to the end, almost just 50 meters short (of the accident site). When we took photographs, the end (of the tunnel) was visible. And out of the 9-meter diameter (of the tunnel)–almost 30 feet, out of that 30 feet, mud has piled up to 25 feet,” Minister Rao stated in an interview with PTI.
His remarks highlight the devastating reality of the situation, indicating that the trapped individuals may be facing insurmountable odds due to the overwhelming volume of debris inside the tunnel.
The Trapped Workers and Ongoing Prayers
The individuals trapped in the collapsed tunnel have been identified as follows:
- Manoj Kumar and Sri Niwas from Uttar Pradesh
- Sunny Singh from Jammu and Kashmir
- Gurpreet Singh from Punjab
- Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu, and Anuj Sahu, all from Jharkhand
Among them, two are engineers, two are machine operators, and four are laborers. As the rescue operation continues, their families, colleagues, and the entire nation hold onto a glimmer of hope for their safe return.
Telangana Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy has expressed prayers and optimism for the rescue operation’s success. Workers who survived the tunnel collapse have shared their harrowing experiences, recalling the terrifying moment when the structure gave way and engulfed their colleagues in debris. Their testimonies have added an emotional weight to the situation, as they anxiously wait for any positive news about those still trapped inside.
While the rescue efforts persist, the grim reality of the situation is undeniable. The next few hours will be crucial in determining whether the rat miners and rescue teams can overcome the immense challenges and bring the trapped workers back to safety.
With a passion for news writing and a deep interest in Journalism, Bowrna wants to write articles that create an impact. Not only writing, she also has a passion for voiceovers and also aspires to become a Radio Jockey in the future. When not writing, she likes to listen to songs and dance to her heart's content. She is proficient in English, Tamil and Hindi.
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