Rescuers are working relentlessly to save eight workers who have been trapped for over 48 hours in a collapsed tunnel in Telangana. However, state minister Krishna Rao has warned that their “chances of survival are very, very remote” as debris and water continue to obstruct the rescue mission.
The Tunnel Collapse: What Happened?
The 44-km-long Srisailam dam tunnel at Nagarkurnool collapsed in the early morning hours when construction workers were in it repairing a leak. There were mostly unharmed who escaped, and eight are reported to be still trapped and not heard from.
Four of them are workers, and four of them are working for the contracting company, assured Minister Krishna Rao, who was coordinating the rescue efforts.
Massive Rescue Operation Underway
A multi-agency rescue operation is in full swing, with personnel from the Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and state forces working round the clock. The Indian Navy has also sent commandos to assist the mission. Six experts from the 2023 Silkyara tunnel rescue operation in Uttarakhand have also joined the operation.
The tunnel collapse took place 13 km from the entrance, and the last 100 metres have been reached by rescuers. But Minister Rao pointed out that the excessive accumulation of muck and waterlogging within the tunnel has rendered it almost impossible for the rescuers to navigate freely.
Survival Chances Are Slim, But Efforts Continue
Minister Krishna Rao explained the enormous task facing the rescue team, saying, “Muck has accumulated too high within the tunnel which has rendered it impossible to walk. The rescuers are having to go through by using rubber tubes and wooden planks. Chances of survival are very, very remote, but we hope and are not leaving any effort.”
Rescuers have also highlighted the imperative need for additional equipment as they battle against challenging conditions. Cracks in the walls of the tunnel, from which water is constantly pouring, need de-watering, and moving boulders suggest an unstable roof in the collapsed area.
Leaders Monitor the Situation Closely
The situation is under watch on both the center and state. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called upon Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for an update, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised unconditional support to the rescue effort.
Chief Minister Reddy’s office said he is personally monitoring the situation and coordinating with senior officials. Steps are being taken to drain water, remove debris, and make alternative routes to access the trapped workers.
As the rescue team fights against time, the country waits in anticipation, hoping for a miracle amidst the bleak scenario.
