Hyderabad: Rescuers are attempting to extract the eight workers who have been stranded in a collapsed tunnel in Telangana for more than 48 hours. A state minister has issued a warning that the possibilities of their survival are slim due to the obstruction of the rescue mission by a buildup of muck and water.
On Saturday morning, the 44-kilometer-long tunnel located behind the Srisailam dam in Nagarkurnool collapsed while workmen were repairing a leak. Although the majority of them were able to escape, eight were ensnared and have been without communication since Saturday.
According to state minister Krishna Rao, who is responsible for the rescue operations, four of the individuals are laborers and four are personnel of the construction company.
The Navy commandos have arrived to provide assistance to the Army, National Disaster Response Force, and state agencies that are currently involved in the rescue operation. Additionally, six members of the heroic crew responsible for the 2023 Silkyara tunnel operation in Uttarakhand have participated in the rescue efforts.
The minister stated that water and muck are impeding the rescue operation, despite the fact that the rescuers have reached the final 100 meters and the collapse occurred at least 13 km from the tunnel’s entrance.
“The tunnel is impassable due to the excessive accumulation of muck.” The rescuers are employing wooden planks and rubber tubing to navigate. “We are optimistic and are making every effort to survive, despite the bleak outlook,” stated Mr. Rao.
Additionally, the rescuers have indicated that they require additional apparatus to overcome the challenges they face in their efforts to extract the trapped workers. According to a report issued yesterday, the tunnel’s walls were subject to fractures that were causing water to escape and necessitated dewatering.
The roof in the collapsed section of the tunnel was still unstable, as evidenced by the noises of shifting boulders. This was an additional source of concern.
The situation is being monitored continuously at both the central and provincial levels.
Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition, contacted Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of the Congress party, which is in power in Telangana, to inquire about the rescue operation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him of his entire support.
Mr. Reddy’s office stated that he has been conducting an ongoing assessment of the situation and soliciting input from senior officials as recently as last night. It was stated that he is cognizant of the obstacles and has requested that provisions be made to remove water from the tunnel and supply oxygen. The Chief Minister’s Office reported that the rescuers are currently in the process of removing the sludge and attempting to identify alternative routes to the collapse site.
