Uncertainty over the safety and survival of the eight persons — two engineers, two technical staff and four workers — trapped 14 km inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel near Domalapenta in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana is increasing by the hour as their condition remains unknown even after 60 hours (till 8 p.m. on Monday).
Despite all the hard work and round-the-clock efforts by the joint rescue teams comprising personnel from Central, State and other agencies, they are unable to cross the last 150-metre barrier due to new hardships coming in their way constantly. A few members were able to reach the tunnel boring machine (TBM), now covered with debris, including mud, but could not use the gadgets they took inside to trace the whereabouts of the trapped persons.
A view from inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel where a portion of the tunnel collapsed in Nagarkurnool district on Monday (February 24, 2025).
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL
The 12-metre TBM head portion was said to be broken into two parts and there was a “safe container” in the head portion for workers taking shelter in emergency situations. It is not known whether the eight persons went into that container or not as the roof slabs came off and seepage of water became intensive.
Teams from L&T, IIT Madras and Uttarakhand, who handled the Silkyara tunnel collapse in 2023, have joined the rescue operation along with the electronic gadgets, in addition to the Army, Navy, NDRF, SDRF and NHIDCL personnel already involved in the operation.
Rescue teams gather outside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel where a portion of the tunnel collapsed in Nagarkurnool district on Monday (February 24, 2025).
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL
According to officials of the Telangana Irrigation Department, the condition at the TBM tail-point was reviewed by the agencies involved in the rescue operation and exploring the possibilities of removal of the debris on the TBM and whether its removal could lead to more mud/slush falling on it since the seepage of water from the roof has increased after the accident caused due to the pre-fabricated reinforced cement-concrete slabs coming off from the roof.
Treading the last 150 metres is proving to be a herculean task due to the slush piled up on the tunnel floor and the constant seepage of water with increasing intensity is stated to be making the task of rescue teams difficult. “The tunnel length after 13.8 km from the mouth is covered with 6-7 ft height slush on the floor,” a senior official coordinating the operation said.
A view of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal project site where a portion of the tunnel collapsed, in Nagarkurnool district on Monday (February 24, 2025).
| Photo Credit:
NAGARA GOPAL
Removal of debris and muck along with continuous dewatering has become necessary for the rescue team to make a further headway. It is the conveyor belt that is used to bring out the material (soil mixed with stones) excavated by the TBM is being used as the ramp by the rescue teams for going beyond the last point till where the locomotive is operated.
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