'No Communication With Workers Yet, Dewatering Ongoing': Rescue Efforts Enter Fourth Day In Telangana Tunnel Collapse

As rescue efforts enter their fourth day, authorities in Telangana have enlisted experts from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) to advise on the best course of action to save eight individuals trapped in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel after its partial collapse on Saturday last week.

According to the PTI report, The Nagarkurnool District Collector, B Santhosh, confirmed that before any further action is taken, the stability of the tunnel is being thoroughly assessed while dewatering continues.

"As of now we are not able to communicate with them (trapped). We are taking the advice of the Geological Survey of India and some other people. As of now, we are dewatering and going forward. But for the last 40 or 50 metres, we are not able to go. As of now, we are taking the advice of GSI and NGRI. L&T experts have also come here," he told PTI.

Due to the presence of muck and debris, teams have been unable to penetrate the final 50 metres of the tunnel where the trapped individuals are located.

In addition to GSI and NGRI, an Australian tunnel expert from L&T, renowned for their expertise in tunnel operations, has been called in to evaluate the site’s stability.

Despite the Indian Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other agencies working relentlessly, no breakthrough has been achieved yet. The rescue teams have faced thick slush, entangled iron rods, and concrete blocks, making progress difficult.

A team of 584 skilled personnel, including those from Singareni Collieries and central and state disaster response teams, has conducted seven tunnel inspections so far, with gas cutters continuously working to cut through metal obstructions.

Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao acknowledged the grim reality of the situation, stating:

"The chances of their survival are very remote," adding that extracting the trapped individuals could take at least three to four days, given the massive accumulation of debris.

A specialist team of ‘rat miners’, who had previously played a crucial role in rescuing workers trapped in the Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand in 2023, has also joined the rescue mission in a last-ditch effort to reach the trapped men.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy are expected to visit the accident site today to oversee operations and make key decisions on the ongoing rescue efforts.