Rescue operations are intensifying to save eight workers trapped inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel after part of its roof collapsed on Saturday morning. Located near the Domalapenta area of Nagarkurnool district, these operations are being coordinated by various agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Indian Army.
According to officials, the collapse happened at around 8:30 AM when approximately 50 workers were engaged on-site. A three-meter section of the roof caved in, trapping eight individuals who are feared to be approximately 14 kilometers inside the tunnel. Fortunately, many others were able to escape immediately following the incident.
"Dewatering operations are currently underway as the site is challenging due to rising water levels and debris blocking access points," said Nagarkurnool District Collector B Santhosh. Rescue efforts have been complicated by the accumulation of muck and water significantly restricting safe access to the trapped workers.
Efforts by the NDRF have reported covering around 13.5 kilometers inside the tunnel, primarily via locomotives and conveyor belts. NDRF Deputy Commandant Sukhendu Datta noted, "When we reached near the last known location of the trapped workers, we attempted to yell out and get any response, but unfortunately, there was none due to the debris." The last 200 meters leading to the trapped workers are said to be fully blocked.
The Telangana Irrigation Minister, Uttam Kumar Reddy, has been overseeing the operations and stated, "We are considering several options for rescue, including drilling from above or the sides, alongside continuous dewatering and de-silting efforts to extract survivors.”
Encouraging news came when authorities confirmed ventilation systems within the tunnel remain functional, ensuring some level of oxygen supply to the trapped workers. Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has been actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Central Government, which has pledged full support for the rescue missions.
Reddy spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who assured assistance, and with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who emphasized the need for urgent rescue efforts. “We must leave no stone unturned to save these lives,” Gandhi stated.
Among the trapped workers are engineers from The Robbins Company and employees from JP Associates. Their identities include Manoj Kumar and Sri Niwas from Uttar Pradesh and several workers from Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir.
Experts have pointed out the historical challenges faced by the SLBC tunnel project, which has been under construction for decades, initially commenced to provide irrigation to drought-prone regions. Official comments suggest geological instability and long-term seepage have historically posed risks, raising concerns about the adequacy of precautions taken prior to the project’s resumption.
"This tragic incident brings to light the frequent issues plaguing the SLBC project, which is supposed to alleviate water scarcity, not become another story of mismanagement," said Mereddy Shyam Prasad Reddy, former project engineer and president of the Telangana Retired Engineers Association.
The current rescue efforts are receiving enhanced support from various rescue professionals who have experience with previous incidents, including successful rescues from previous collapses like the Uttarakhand incident. Reddy stated, “The onus is not only on the authorities to rescue the trapped workers but also to reassess the safety measures for the future of the SLBC tunnel.”
Meanwhile, local political leaders from various parties have expressed their concerns and demanded thorough investigations to understand the causes of this catastrophic failure deeply. The opposition has called for accountability from the ruling government for what they view as negligence leading to this incident.
With several agencies involved and continuous monitoring from top officials, the rescue operations sparked hope for the safe return of the trapped workers. Chief Minister Reddy expressed his dedication to the efforts, affirming, “We are fully focused on saving these lives, and all possible measures will be taken.”
The SLBC project holds significant importance for regions like Nalgonda and Nagarkurnool, which have long battled water scarcity. It symbolizes both promise and the perils associated with large-scale infrastructure projects. The rescue operations are expected to continue until the situation stabilizes enough to safely extract those trapped.
While much of the rescue operation is underway, it serves as a sobering reminder of the stakes involved when engineering meets natural unpredictability. Authorities remain hopeful yet aware of the challenges laid out by the incident as rescuers work round the clock.