Telangana tunnel collapse: Rescue operations intensify for 8 trapped workers
What's the story
Rescue operations have been intensified to save the eight workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in Telangana's Nagarkurnool district.
The incident took place on Saturday morning when a portion of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel near Domalapenta collapsed following sudden water and soil leakage.
The mishap impacted nearly 13km of the excavation site.
Rescue efforts
Joint rescue operation faces challenges
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, and Singareni Collieries are engaged in the rescue operations.
About 128 NDRF members, 120 SDRF, 24 Indian Army, and 23 Singareni Collieries members are working tirelessly at the site.
The rescue teams are facing challenges as thick mud and water are obstructing access to the trapped workers.
Rescue strategy
High-power motors deployed to dewater tunnel
Efforts have been intensified with additional high-power motors pumping out water at a rate of 4,500 liters per minute to dewater the tunnel.
A 200-meter debris patch inside the tunnel further complicates rescue efforts.
The exact location of the workers remains unknown until the debris is cleared.
Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, who is overseeing the rescue operations on-site, said authorities are considering three options to reach the trapped workers.
Rescue plans
Authorities consider 3 options for rescue
The authorities are looking at drilling from above or the sides of the tunnel and desilting to remove silt, as possible strategies to reach the trapped workers.
Minister Rao called the situation a challenging task, saying "We have to flush out the water before the equipment can push ahead."
The trapped workers include engineers Manoj Kumar and Sri Niwas from Uttar Pradesh, four laborers from Jharkhand, and two machine operators from Robbins India Company.
Communication efforts
No contact established with trapped workers yet
Despite rescue teams trying to establish contact by calling out their names, the trapped workers haven't responded, according to the news agency PTI.
However, the ventilation system inside the tunnel is still operational, ensuring a continuous oxygen supply for those still trapped.
Six members of a previous successful Uttarakhand operation have joined efforts in Telangana to assist with their expertise.