Hyderabad: Rescue operations are in full swing to save eight workers trapped inside an under-construction tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district after a portion of the structure collapsed. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Army, and other agencies are racing against time, pumping out water and clearing debris to reach the 14th-kilometre point of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, where the roof caved in on Saturday.
Around 250 personnel from the NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and 24 personnel each from the Army, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), and the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) are involved in the complex rescue operation. Their primary challenge is to dewater and desilt the tunnel over a 100-metre stretch to reach the trapped workers.
Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, who is overseeing the efforts, said authorities are exploring alternative methods, including digging from the top, to reach the stranded men. "All required equipment and advanced technology are being deployed. The Army is actively participating, and we have also sought assistance from the Navy," he told the media.
NDRF Deputy Commandant Sukhendu Datta described the situation as highly challenging due to water accumulation over nearly two kilometres of the tunnel. "Our heavy equipment cannot reach the accident site until water is pumped out. Only then can we clear the debris," he said. Efforts to establish contact with the trapped workers have so far yielded no response. "We cannot confirm their exact location or condition at this stage," he added.
To aid the operation, fishing boats, tyres, and wooden planks are being mobilized to help rescue teams navigate the flooded sections of the tunnel.
The collapse occurred near Domalapenta when a section of the SLBC tunnel, under construction, gave way. At the time, 50 workers were inside, but 42 managed to escape, while eight remain trapped. Two others sustained injuries in the incident. Among the trapped individuals are two engineers and two machine operators, hailing from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Nagarkurnool District Collector Badavath Santosh stated that desilting and dewatering efforts are being prioritized to push the rescue mission forward. Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Jupally Krishna Reddy have been holding review meetings with officials from the NDRF, Army, and other agencies involved.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the tragedy and assured full government support for the affected families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to the Chief Minister over the phone on Saturday, offering assistance from the central government. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached out to the Chief Minister on Sunday for updates on the rescue operation.
The state government had recently resumed construction on the SLBC tunnel, a long-pending project, and work had officially restarted just four days ago. On Saturday morning, 50 workers entered the tunnel to continue excavation. According to Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, a Geological Survey of India assessment had cleared the project before work resumed.
He added that the construction firm responsible for the tunnel has a good track record in similar projects. However, soon after work began on Saturday morning, water started seeping into the tunnel, causing the soil to collapse. Workers who escaped reported hearing a loud explosion before the roof caved in, suggesting a possible geological disturbance.
As rescue teams continue their tireless efforts, authorities remain hopeful for a successful outcome in what is being described as one of the most challenging rescue operations in recent years.
With IANS inputs