Telangana tunnel crisis: Rescue still carried for 3rd day, workers unreachable
Rescue operations hit new challenge in the Telangana 72 hours on going rescue but there has been no contact with workers yet. Authorities continue efforts to reach them amid challenging conditions.
Telangana tunnel collapse: The operation to rescue the eight persons inside the tunnel Srisailiam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel project in Telangana's Nagarkurnool district has been ongoing for over 72 hours to reach eight workers trapped since a portion of the tunnel collapsed on February 22.
NDRF 10th Battalion commandants Prassanna Kumar said on Monday that after a lengthy meeting to take stock of the situation. According to officials, natural rock formations in the tunnel became loose during operations, causing sudden water and mud inflow that filled about 12-13 feet of the tunnel.
The latest developments are here :
Active rescue efforts: National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) are cooperating in the rescue mission. Despite their efforts, progress has been hampered by waterlogging and debris within the tunnel.
Specialized Teams development: A group of rat-hole miners, experienced in similar rescue operations, has been brought in to assist. These experts previously also played a crucial role in rescuing workers from the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel which collapsed in Uttarakhand in 2023.
Advanced equipment use: Endoscopic and robotic cameras have been introduced to navigate the obstructed sections of the tunnel to locate the trapped individuals. These technologies were also utilized during the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operations. Significant amounts of mud and water, create a thick barrier approximately 200 meters long and up to 25 feet high. This accumulation has made it extremely difficult for rescue teams to advance and reach the trapped workers.
Deemed survival Chances: Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has expressed concerns about the likelihood of the workers' survival, describing the chances as "very, very remote." Efforts to establish contact by calling out to the trapped individuals have yielded no response.
Rescue timeframe: Officials estimate that it may take an additional three to four days to clear the debris and reach the trapped workers, given the current conditions and challenges within the tunnel.
Trapped Workers identities: The individuals include two engineers, two operators, and four laborers hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Jharkhand. Their identities have been confirmed by authorities overseeing the rescue operations.
Continuous safety measures: Rescue teams are actively working to remove water and debris from the tunnel. High-capacity pumps and other specialized equipment have been used to facilitate these efforts.
As of now ,we have been told that we ned to go along, with NDRF and SDRF team. It will be difficult to say something Until we see the situation there.
