Rescue operations are currently underway to extricate eight workers trapped inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel following its partial collapse over the weekend, with increasingly dire challenges hindering the efforts. The incident occurred on Saturday morning when part of the tunnel’s roof gave way, trapping the workers 14 kilometers inside.
According to Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, the chances of survival for those trapped are "very remote." Since the collapse, rescue teams have excavated over 13 kilometers of the tunnel but are now facing significant water and muck accumulation, which has impeded progress toward the trapped individuals. "Muck has piled up too high inside the tunnel, making it nearly impossible to walk through," Minister Krishna Rao explained, highlighting the immense challenges rescuers are encountering.
Approximately 300 trained personnel are involved in the rescue efforts, including teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Indian Army, who are all working tirelessly to reach the trapped men. The rescue teams are employing various tactics, deploying rubber tubes and wooden planks to navigate through the debris. Yet, the operation has become increasingly complicated due to rising water levels within the tunnel, which were described by the minister as "so intense" it caused the tunnel boring machine (TBM) to virtually float.
The gravity of the situation was underscored by the arrival of specialized teams, including rat miners known for their effectiveness during previous rescue operations, such as the Silkyara tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand. These miners have been brought onto the scene to assist with the delicate task of extracting the trapped workers, as Minister Krishna Rao detailed the necessity of employing all available resources to manage the crisis.
Rescue efforts are being closely supervised by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and other senior officials at the site. They are receiving real-time updates about the situation and are actively exploring options for alternative access points inside the tunnel. Drilling teams are trying to evaluate whether additional controlled excavations could create new pathways for the rescuers.
Despite these efforts, communication with the trapped workers remains non-existent. Rescuers have attempted to use loudspeakers to encourage any responses but have received no feedback, raising concerns about their well-being. Rescue teams reportedly experienced severe humidity and lack of oxygen levels as they advanced, also dealing with total power cuts since the incident occurred.
By Monday morning, attention had turned toward the physical realities of the situation as officials acknowledged the grave prognosis for the trapped individuals. Minister Krishna Rao admitted he had personally scouted the area near the accident site and found debris piled up nearly 25 feet high within the tunnel’s 9-meter diameter. "When we shouted their names, there was no response... So, there is no chance at all," he remarked, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
The workers trapped within the tunnel have been identified as individuals from various states, raising the emotional stakes for their families, who remain anxiously waiting for news. The eight trapped men include two engineers, two operators, and four laborers. Their identities are known as Manoj Kumar and Sri Niwas from Uttar Pradesh, Sunny Singh from Jammu and Kashmir, and Gurpreet Singh from Punjab, along with Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu, and Anuj Sahu from Jharkhand.
Despite the extensive resources being deployed, including the use of endoscopic and robotic cameras to assess conditions within the tunnel, the latest efforts have proven fruitless. Rescuers have flagged the need for heavy-duty pumps and more equipment to manage the overwhelming conditions of muck and water.
Looking forward, the coming days are seen as pivotal for both the trapped workers and rescue operations alike. The government, along with rescue agencies and various teams facing the clock, is pursuing every possible course of action to bring the individuals to safety. The stakes are incredibly high, and as the hours pass, hope must be balanced with the harsh realities officers are confronting. While families remain hopeful, the probability of good news diminishes.