Telangana-Tunnel

Telangana Govt Boosts Efforts as NDRF Battles Waterlogged Srisailam Tunnel Rescue Challenges

 

Rescue teams are working non-stop to save eight workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel near the Srisailam dam in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district. The tunnel gave way on Saturday morning while workers were repairing a leak. While some managed to escape, eight remained trapped with no communication for over 48 hours.

 

Challenges of the Rescue Operation

 

The operation has been hindered by silt, waterlogging, and unstable debris. The renowned Silkyara rescue team, which rescued 41 workers in the 2023 Uttarakhand tunnel collapse, has now collaborated with the Army, NDRF, SDRF, and local agencies. Their experience brings hope as rescuers continue to make progress despite adverse conditions.

Major hindrances have been cited by officials running the operation. On-site pathways are thick with muck and are, thereby, almost impossible for the teams to reach close to the collapsed interior of the tunnel, which is about 13 kilometers long. In addition, water seepage was reported, leading to additional pumps being brought in to clear the flooded sections.

 

Prioritizing Water Removal for Safe Acces

 

State minister Jupally Krishna Rao, who oversees the rescue, states that water removal is a priority before debris extraction can begin. It is feared that even a portion of the tunnel concrete structure may have collapsed over the workers; hence, every second counts. Teams also meticulously assess the risk of further collapses before proceeding with much deeper excavation.

Though the unstable ground is proving to be yet another hindrance to the rescue operations, the clearing operations progress slower. Heavy machinery and specialized drilling equipment are being utilized to penetrate the rubble; however, progress is still slow. Authorities ensure that all safety precautions are taken to prevent further mishaps during the rescue efforts.

 

Government Assurance and Alternative Rescue Routes

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi restated full assurance of help, while Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy shared the updates. Emergency teams also tried to look for alternative access points to hasten the rescue. A bypass route to open a safer and faster entry into the collapsed section of the tunnel is being built.

 

Dust Clouds Renewed Anxiety About Tunnel Safety

 

This unfortunate event rekindled the debate on the safety of tunnels, particularly on their structural stability and readiness to respond to emergencies. Experts are raising calls for more vigorous safety checks and routine inspections of tunnel infrastructures to avoid a recurrence of disasters. Meanwhile, rescue operations are ongoing, and the hope of the families of trapped workers rests on prayers for a breakthrough.
 
Rescue work is still not lost; they are racing against time to save trapped laborers. The next few hours will be crucial as teams press on to establish contact and pull them out alive.