In Telangana, at least eight workers are trapped following a partial collapse of an under-construction tunnel near the Srisailam dam. The incident occurred while workers were repairing a leak, with about ten meters of the tunnel and 200 meters of mud affected. Dozens managed to escape, but a rescue mission is underway. The tunnel, part of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal project, had recently reopened. Officials reported that communication with the trapped workers has failed, and several injuries have occurred. Prime Minister Modi and other officials are coordinating efforts to assist in the rescue operations.
Hyderabad:
At least eight workers are trapped following the collapse of a section of an under-construction tunnel in Telangana on Saturday. The incident occurred in the area behind the Srisailam dam while some workers were conducting repairs on a leak.
While many managed to escape, eight workers remain trapped, prompting a rescue operation to ensure their safety. The tunnel has collapsed by over 10 metres, with mud spreading across 200 metres, according to a senior official.
This tunnel is situated in Amrabad on the ongoing stretch of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) in Nagarkurnool district.
“A section of the SLBC tunnel behind the Srisailam dam near Domalapenta experienced a collapse on Saturday. Specifically, at the 14th km mark, the roof of the left-side tunnel fell in for three meters while employees were carrying out their duties,” an official statement indicated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for an update on the situation and has extended all necessary assistance from the Centre to aid in rescuing the trapped workers.
Telangana’s irrigation minister, Uttam Kumar Reddy, provided details regarding the event, stating, “Initially, water began seeping in slowly, later increasing the flow to 8 metres. For 20 minutes, the workers remained inside, helping as many as possible escape. They detected geological disturbances, but everyone, except those near the boring machine, exited promptly.”
The tunnel had just reopened four days prior, officials noted. Of the trapped workers, four hail from Jharkhand, two from Uttar Pradesh, one from Jammu and Kashmir, and one from Punjab.
The minister added, “This tunnel was intended to be the world’s longest of its kind at 44 km. Two tunnel-boring machines were working from both ends, with 20 km excavated on one side and 14 km on the other. The 9.5 km stretch in between proved particularly challenging due to seepage, necessitating dewatering efforts during the work.”
Collector B. Santosh mentioned that there has been no communication with the trapped individuals, and the internal communication system has also failed. Both the air chamber and conveyor belt have collapsed.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed his shock over the incident in an online message. While mentioning that several individuals were injured in the collapse, he did not provide specific figures.
“Upon learning about the tunnel collapse and the injuries sustained, the Chief Minister promptly alerted officials. He directed the District Collector, SP, Fire Department, and officials from the Hydra and Irrigation Departments to immediately proceed to the site and implement relief measures,” the statement said.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar and other officials from his department have taken a special helicopter to the accident site, the post noted.
Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy has also sought clarification on the factors leading to the tunnel incident and has instructed officials to prioritize the safe recovery of those trapped. In an X post, he mentioned that he has requested officials to ensure medical assistance for the injured.