Eight workers are still trapped after a portion of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel near Domalapenta collapsed in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on Saturday morning. The collapse took place while maintenance work was underway to plug a leak in the 44-km-long tunnel.
Rescue Operations:
- Challenges Faced: Rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, and trained ‘rat miners’ from Uttarakhand are facing serious challenges. Loose natural rock has resulted in unexpected influxes of water and mud, filling around 12 to 13 feet of the tunnel and slowing down efforts.
- Current Status: Rescuers have thus far been unable to get closer than 50 meters to the trapped workers because of the debris that has piled up. The situation is as critical as ever, with officials worried about the decreasing survival hopes for the trapped workers.
Official Response:
- Senior-Level Visits: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy will visit the accident site today to monitor rescue efforts and make strategic decisions.
- Technical Expertise: Experts from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) have been taken on board to evaluate the scenario and offer technical advice for the rescue effort in progress.
Social Impact:
The accident has put a shadow on the local community, with families of the trapped workers waiting anxiously for news. The state government has assured that all efforts are being taken to rescue the people and assist their families in this difficult time.
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