Telangana tunnel collapse: Rescue operation stopped due to slush; survival chances of trapped workers bleak
PTC Web Desk: Rescue operations for eight workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district have reached the fourth day, but increasing slush and stability concerns have forced experts to pause intensive excavation efforts.
Specialist teams inside the tunnel reported that the slush wall has risen by about a meter, with additional mud and debris flowing into the inlet, narrowing access to just 11.5 km. Alternative rescue strategies, including a sideways approach, are now being explored to ensure safety.
Structural integrity remains a major concern, as heavy excavation could endanger both the trapped workers and rescue teams. Australian tunnel expert Chris Cooper, working with L&T, warned on Monday that the area remains unstable, making large-scale digging extremely risky.
Additionally, approximately 3,200 litre of water are entering the tunnel every minute, mixing with debris and exacerbating the slush problem. However, officials assured that de-watering efforts are preventing further complications.
Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao acknowledged that the likelihood of survival for the trapped workers is "very, very remote." He noted that debris buildup has made movement inside the tunnel nearly impossible, forcing rescuers to rely on rubber tubes and wooden planks to navigate.
The eight missing men—engineers, operators, and labourers—have been identified as Sandeep Sahu, Jegta Xess, Santosh Sahu, and Anuj Sahu from Jharkhand, Manoj Kumar and Sri Niwas from Uttar Pradesh, Sunny Singh from Jammu and Kashmir, and Gurpreet Singh from Punjab.
In a bid to bolster rescue efforts, a team of expert rat miners—known for their successful operation in Uttarakhand’s Silkyara tunnel collapse in 2023—has joined the mission. Currently, nine national agencies, including the Geological Survey of India and the National Geographical Research Institute, are involved in the operation. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is closely monitoring the situation, receiving hourly updates.
- With inputs from agencies
