Rescue efforts at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana continued on Sunday morning, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) advancing deeper into the collapsed section where eight workers are feared trapped. Despite significant progress, the team has been unable to pinpoint the exact location of the workers due to debris blocking the area.
NDRF Deputy Commandant Sukhendu Datta shared with ANI that the rescue team had covered approximately 13.5 kilometers into the tunnel using locomotives and conveyor belts. “Yesterday, around 10 PM, we went inside to assess the situation. We covered 11 km by train and the remaining 2 km by walking and using a conveyor belt,” Datta explained.
However, the last 200 meters of the collapsed tunnel remain heavily obstructed by debris, making it impossible to confirm the condition or exact whereabouts of the trapped workers. “We reached the end of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and attempted to communicate with the workers, but we couldn’t get any response due to the debris blocking the path,” Datta said. “Until the debris is cleared, we cannot confirm their location.”
Efforts are currently underway to pump out accumulated water in the tunnel, which is hindering further progress. “There is water between the 11 and 13 km marks. Once it is cleared, we will resume rescue operations,” he added.
Earlier, both the NDRF and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams faced significant obstacles in reaching the collapsed section. An SDRF official mentioned, “The area inside the tunnel is completely blocked, with mud up to the knees. We will need to take additional steps to proceed.”
The tunnel collapse occurred on Saturday morning, when a three-meter section of the roof of the under-construction tunnel caved in at the 14 km mark near Domalapenta in Nagarkurnool district. Construction work had resumed only four days prior after a prolonged pause. While some workers managed to escape, eight are still trapped inside.
To aid in the rescue operations, the Indian Army’s Engineer Regiment, stationed at Secunderabad, has been placed on standby with an Excavator Dozer. Following a request from the Telangana Chief Secretary, the Army quickly mobilized its Engineer Task Force (ETF), which is equipped with specialized engineering teams, medical support from the Army Medical Corps, and essential rescue tools including high-capacity pumps and armoured hoses.
The operation remains ongoing, with the NDRF, SDRF, and Army working together to save the trapped workers.
