Telangana tunnel collapse: No communication with trapped workers; debris, water logging pose challenges for rescue teams

Hyderabad: Even hours after the collapse of the under-construction SLBC tunnel in Domalapenta, Nagarkurnool district of Telangana, communication with the eight trapped workers remains elusive.

The rescue teams, which included members from the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army's Engineering Task Force, Indian Navy, and Singareni Collieries Ltd., on Sunday had reached the 14th kilometre of the tunnel, where the roof had collapsed on Saturday morning.

As the surface above the tunnel was 400 metres, rescue teams ruled out the possibility of vertical excavation and launched efforts to drain the knee-deep water and also remove the debris.

The rescue teams have brought in heavy machinery to clear the debris. The collapse of the roof is believed to have completely dismantled the Tunnel Boring Machine where the workers were working on Saturday morning, and the concrete debris had choked and blocked at least 200 metres of the area where the workers are suspected to have been trapped.

The rescue teams have been working 24/7 in shifts, ensuring proper ventilation and oxygen in the hope of the survival of the trapped workers. Officials say the tunnel is filled with six meters of sludge, mud, water, and concrete debris. While the rescue teams, after reaching the mishap site, had shouted the names of the trapped persons, there was no response.

“We reached 13½ kilometres in the tunnel using a locomotive and conveyor belt, as well as by walking. The locomotive could go up to around 11 ½ kilometres. From that point on, our teams travelled an additional two kilometres, both on foot and by means of a conveyor belt. After reaching the mishap spot, which was totally filled with debris for around 200 meters, we shouted the names of the trapped workers and engineers. But there has been no response. Clearing the debris will enable us to pinpoint the precise location where the workers may have become trapped. We will be able to rescue the trapped people once we clear the debris. It takes at least an hour to reach the mishap spot in the tunnel,” said NDRF deputy commander Sukhendu Datta.

Irrigation & Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the government is making all-out efforts to rescue the workers trapped inside the collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Nagarkurnool district.

Dewatering operations have begun, and oxygen is being continuously pumped into the tunnel to sustain the trapped workers.

"We have reviewed the relief operations with representatives from the Army, Navy, and NDRF. The government is putting in all possible efforts to save the eight lives inside the tunnel. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is personally monitoring the situation, and the entire administration is on high alert," Uttam Kumar Reddy said while inspecting the rescue operations.

Minister Uttam said that the situation at the accident site is critical, and water inflow is hampering rescue operations. Measures are being taken to prevent waterlogging, and alternative solutions are being explored to clear the mud and debris inside the tunnel.

"The natural rock formations in the tunnel became loose, which caused sudden water and mud inflow, filling about 12–13 feet of the tunnel. Technical experts are working around the clock to resolve this highly challenging situation.

The minister mentioned that getting heavy machinery into the tunnel is difficult due to the terrain, but officials are working on alternate methods to remove the debris. The Irrigation Department, Disaster Response Teams, and Defence personnel are coordinating their efforts, continuously pumping oxygen into the tunnel and deploying motors for dewatering.