At least 8 Workers Trapped in an incomplete tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district after part of its roof caved in on Saturday morning. The accident witnessed a massive rescue operation by various agencies, namely, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Indian Army.
How the Accident Happened
As per officials, approximately 51 employees were within the tunnel undertaking excavation activities when the collapse took place at about 8:30 AM. The tunnel is situated roughly 120 km from Hyderabad and falls under the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project, which will provide 30 TMC ft (thousand million cubic feet) of water to Nalgonda from the Srisailam reservoir.
Of the 51 employees, 43 were rescued, and eight, including two engineers, were stuck behind a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) at the 14-kilometer mark. The fallen roof was approximately three meters long, posing difficulties in initial rescue attempts.
Employees Identified, Contact Yet to Be Established
Rescuers have already rescued the buried people, and among them are project engineer Manoj Kumar and field engineer Sri Niwas from Uttar Pradesh. The other six employees are Sandeep Sahu, Jagta Xess, Santosh Sahu, Anuj Sahu of Jharkhand, Sunny Singh of Jammu & Kashmir, and Gurpreet Singh of Punjab.
As with ongoing rescue work, the authorities have not so far been successful in making direct contact with the buried men, and concern is being generated regarding their well-being. One official from Robbins India Ltd reassured that ventilation is still operating, ensuring regular oxygen supply to the tunnel area.
8 Workers Trapped Eyewitness Account: Water Seepage and Sudden Collapse
Md Allauddin, one of the workers who survived by managing to escape, recollected the horrifying seconds before the collapse. According to him, they had seen water leaking through the roof of the tunnel immediately after starting work there that morning.
“Even before we knew what was happening, part of the roof collapsed with a huge bang, taking mud and cement concrete rings with it. Some of us fled for our lives, while others, sadly, were trapped behind the TBM,” he narrated.
8 Workers Trapped: Challenges in Rescue Operations
The rescue operation is being confronted with several challenges, such as low visibility caused by broken electrical wires, which have plunged the tunnel into total darkness. Also, water pooling within the tunnel has resulted in a slushy situation, making it even more difficult.
State irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who visited the site, was concerned about the situation inside the tunnel. “The electrical wires broke, resulting in a power outage inside. It is becoming hard to search for the trapped workers due to darkness and the water that has entered inside,” he explained.
8 Workers Trapped: Authorities Mobilize Extensive Rescue Efforts
Following the incident, the Telangana government has approached various agencies. Including the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), which is renowned for its experience in dealing with underground collapses. SCCL CMD N Balram has confirmed that sophisticated rescue equipment imported from Australia, the US, and Poland is being used to speed up the operation.
Moreover, members of the team that had rescued 41 workers stuck in a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand two years ago have been summoned to help. That rescue operation, which took 17 days, is regarded as a key point of reference for the ongoing rescue operation.
8 Workers Trapped: SLBC Project and Its Troubled History
The SLBC project, initially introduced in 2005 by then-chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, has experienced various delays since its inception. The construction was stopped in 2017 under the BRS regime. But resumed merely four days ago, and thus this collapse is especially worrisome.
8 Workers Trapped: Government Assures Full Support
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has promised that all efforts are being taken to save the trapped laborers. He said that he is keeping a close eye on the situation and has instructed officials to speed up the rescue operation.
I have ordered officials to mobilize all resources required to rescue the stranded workers. The government is with the bereaved families in these trying times,” he tweeted on social media site X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also called Chief Minister Reddy to assess the situation. Telangana Chief Minister’s Office confirmed that the Prime Minister pledged complete central government help in the rescue operation.
A Race Against Time
As rescue operations continue, time remains a critical factor. With workers trapped for hours and uncertainties about their condition, teams are working relentlessly to reach them. The incident highlights the inherent risks in large-scale tunneling projects. The an urgent need for stringent safety measures in such operations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What caused the tunnel collapse in Telangana?
The actual reason is still unknown, but initial reports indicate that water seepage caused the roof of the tunnel to collapse.
2. How many laborers are trapped in the tunnel?
Eight laborers, including two engineers, are trapped behind a Tunnel Boring Machine at the 14-kilometer point.
3. What is being done for the rescue operation?
The rescue operations include the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, and SCCL experts. Specialized gear and trained personnel. Including from a previous rescue operation in the Uttarakhand tunnel, are being used to carry out the operation.
4. Is communication established with the trapped workers?
Up to this point, officials have not managed to make direct contact with the trapped workers. Although the ventilation system within the tunnel is functioning.
5. What is SLBC, and why is it important?
SLBC project, which will be supplying 30 TMC ft of water from the Srisailam reservoir to Nalgonda. Has been delayed on several occasions ever since its starting in 2005. Its construction came back to life only four days ago after it was left undisturbed for a long period of time.
With the rescue operation gaining momentum, officials are optimistic that the buried workers will be rescued alive. The accident serves to highlight the need for high-strength safety measures in large infrastructural projects to ensure such disasters do not recur.
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