Summary: Rescue operations intensify for 8 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel near Srisailam Dam, Telangana. With water and debris blocking progress, officials fear survival chances are “very remote.” Army, NDRF, and Navy commandos are on-site. Read the latest updates.
Rescue teams are in a race against time to save eight workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel behind the Srisailam Dam in Nagarkurnool, Telangana for over 48 hours. However, officials warn that their chances of survival are “very, very remote”, as rising water levels, shifting debris, and unstable tunnel walls continue to hinder rescue efforts.
The Disaster: How It Happened
The 44-km-long tunnel, part of a major infrastructure project, collapsed on Saturday morning while workers were inside repairing a leak.
✅ Most workers managed to escape, but eight remain trapped.
✅ Among the trapped: Four labourers and four employees of the construction company.
✅ Collapse Location: 13 km inside the tunnel, making rescue extremely difficult.
Since the incident, all communication with the trapped workers has been lost, raising grave concerns about their condition.
Massive Rescue Effort Underway
Authorities have launched a high-risk, multi-agency rescue operation, deploying:
🔹 Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Teams
🔹 Navy commandos to assist in underwater operations
🔹 Six tunnel rescue experts from the 2023 Silkyara tunnel operation in Uttarakhand
Rescuers have reached within 100 meters of the collapse site, but a massive pileup of muck and water has completely blocked access.
“Muck has piled up too high inside the tunnel, making it impossible to walk. The rescuers are using rubber tubes and wooden planks to navigate. The chances of survival are very, very remote, but we are hopeful and not sparing any effort,” said Telangana minister Krishna Rao, who is overseeing the mission.
Key Challenges Hindering the Rescue
❌ Unstable Structure: Cracks in the tunnel walls continue to widen, increasing the risk of further collapses.
❌ Water Accumulation: Continuous water seepage inside the tunnel is worsening conditions.
❌ Heavy Muck and Debris: Rescuers struggle to clear the path due to shifting boulders and unstable terrain.
❌ Need for More Equipment: Additional de-watering pumps and oxygen supply systems are being arranged.
Government & Political Responses
As the crisis unfolds, top leaders are closely monitoring the situation:
✔️ Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is personally overseeing rescue operations, ensuring oxygen supply and alternative escape routes are explored.
✔️ Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured full central assistance for the rescue mission.
✔️ Congress leader Rahul Gandhi contacted the CM for updates, as the Congress-led Telangana government scrambles to manage the crisis.
The Road Ahead
With each passing hour, hope fades for the trapped workers, but rescuers remain determined to reach them in time. Authorities are working on multiple rescue approaches, including draining water and using advanced drilling equipment to access the collapsed section.
The entire nation watches as Telangana’s largest tunnel rescue operation continues against immense odds.
