Telangana Tunnel collapse: NDRF races to drain water, speed up rescue

Rescuers are racing to save eight workers trapped in Telangana’s Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel. The workers have been stuck for nearly 48 hours since a roof section collapsed inside the under-construction tunnel.

NDRF teams are pushing deeper into the tunnel, but the rescue faces major hurdles. Minister J Krishna Rao warned that survival chances look grim. He described the tunnel as filled with muck, making it hard to walk. Rescuers rely on rubber tubes and wooden planks to navigate.

The collapse occurred on Saturday morning, four days after work resumed following a long break. Some workers escaped, but eight remain inside.

Key Updates on the Rescue Operation:

1. Water Removal in Progress: NDRF is working to drain water from the tunnel. Debris blocks the path, preventing them from pinpointing the workers’ location.
2. Deep Inside the Tunnel: NDRF Deputy Commandant Sukhendu Datta said teams advanced 13.5 km using locomotives and conveyor belts. They inspected conditions at 10 PM on Sunday.
3. Blocked Section: Rescuers reached 13.5 km, traveling 11 km by train and the remaining 2 km by walking and conveyor belt.
4. 200 Meters of Debris: The last 200 meters are completely blocked. Rescuers shouted for the trapped workers but got no response. Until the debris clears, their exact condition remains unknown.
5. Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) Reached: The rescue team reached the TBM’s endpoint. A thick debris patch prevents further progress.
6. Flooded Sections: The 11-13 km stretch is filled with water. Once drained, rescuers will push forward.
7. Challenging Access: NDRF and SDRF teams struggle to reach the collapse site. The tunnel has caved in, and mud reaches knee level. Officials say alternative rescue plans are under discussion.
8. Trapped Workers Identified: The eight men include engineers, operators, and laborers from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Jammu & Kashmir.
9. Jharkhand’s Response: Jharkhand’s Health Minister Irfan Ansari is closely monitoring the situation. He confirmed Chief Minister Hemant Soren has spoken to Telangana CM Revanth Reddy.
10. Army Joins Rescue Effort: The Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force (ETF) from Secunderabad is assisting. A defense statement said the Army prioritizes a swift and safe rescue.

Rescuers are battling time, debris, and water to reach the trapped workers. Authorities remain hopeful but acknowledge the enormous challenges ahead. The nation watches and prays for their safe return.