Telangana: In a desperate race against time, rescue operations have intensified at the partially collapsed SLBC tunnel in Telangana's Nagarkurnool district, where eight workers remain trapped beneath tonnes of debris since Saturday morning. In a significant development, the rescue mission has now enlisted the expertise of rat miners – the same team that achieved success in the challenging Silkyara tunnel rescue operation in Uttarakhand.
The situation has grown increasingly complex as rescue teams face mounting challenges. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, spearheading the rescue efforts, encountered severe setbacks when attempting to reach the suspected location of the trapped workers. Heavy water seepage and unstable rock formations forced rescue personnel to retreat from their advanced positions between the 11th and 13th kilometer marks of the tunnel, where they faced waist-deep water early Monday morning.
Communication with the trapped workers remains severed after more than 48 hours since the initial collapse, adding to the growing concerns about their safety and well-being. The NDRF has urgently requested additional heavy-duty water pumps to combat the increasing water and slush seepage near the accident site, which has worsened since Sunday.
The rescue operation has now evolved into a multi-agency effort, with specialized teams working around the clock. The inclusion of rat miners, who gained national recognition for their crucial role in the Silkyara tunnel rescue, brings renewed hope to the operation. These skilled miners are known for their expertise in navigating confined spaces and challenging underground conditions.
The SLBC tunnel, a crucial infrastructure project in the region, saw part of its ceiling give way on Saturday morning, leading to this critical situation. Rescue teams are now battling against deteriorating conditions within the tunnel, with continuous water seepage and falling rocks hampering their progress toward reaching the trapped workers.
As the rescue operation enters its third day, authorities are mobilizing additional resources and exploring alternative rescue strategies to reach the trapped workers. The incident has drawn national attention, highlighting the risks associated with infrastructure projects and the crucial role of specialized rescue teams in emergency response situations.
