SLBC tunnel rescue operation: 8 workers trapped 13 KM inside, knee-deep swamp became an obstacle
SLBC tunnel rescue operation: Eight workers got trapped after a part of the under-construction section of Srisailam tunnel canal collapsed in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana. The accident happened on Saturday. A three-meter section of the roof of the under-construction section of SLBC tunnel near Domalpenta in Nagarjunasagar district of Telangana collapsed at the 14th kilometer. Construction work had resumed just four days ago after a long halt.
Some workers managed to get out of the tunnel, but eight people got trapped inside. These include two engineers as well.
Stones will be cut with rock cutters
SCCL Chairman and Managing Director N Balaram said, 'The company has the necessary expertise to deal with critical situations like tunnel roof collapse. We also have the necessary equipment imported from Australia, America and Poland. The machinery and 'rock cutters' are so advanced that they can quickly cut large rocks and stones.'
He said that the construction company's team has gone inside for assessment and is investigating. However, the rescue teams that went to inspect the site have returned as they could not go inside.
Rescue team returned
Rescue operations in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel ran into trouble on Sunday morning. Teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are facing huge challenges in reaching the collapsed part of the tunnel. An SDRF official said, 'There is no way to reach the site inside the tunnel
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It has completely collapsed and there is mud up to the knees. We will have to adopt some other way.' Other rescue teams including SDRF, NDRF and Singareni Collieries officials returned after inspecting the collapsed tunnel. At least eight workers are feared trapped in this tunnel.
SCCL team also reached
Acting immediately on the incident, NDRF and SDRF teams were deployed at the site. The Army said that an engineer regiment of the Infantry Division in Secunderabad has been put on standby with an excavator dozer to assist in the rescue efforts. The ETF is equipped with specialist engineering teams, a medical contingent from the Army Medical Corps'
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Field Ambulance, an ambulance, three high-capacity pumping sets, armoured hoses and other items. A 19-member team of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), a coal mining company owned by the Telangana government, has arrived.
Water being pumped out with a 100 HP pump
Congress MP from Nagarjunasagar Mallu Ravi said that a very bad incident has happened in the SLBC tunnel. The roof collapsed here. About 60 people were working. Except 8, all the rest have come out safely without any serious injuries. He further said that 145 people from NDRF, Hyderabad, 120 people from SDRF have come, they are trying their best to save them...
Oxygen is going inside the tunnel. There is water inside, 100 HP pumps have arrived to remove the water. A big 250 KV generator has also arrived. Every effort is being made to save their lives."
Engineer Task Force deployed
Upon receiving a request from the Telangana Chief Secretary, the Army immediately deployed its Engineer Task Force (ETF) for this crucial rescue operation. The ETF is equipped with specialist engineering teams, a medical contingent of Field Ambulance of Army Medical Corps, an ambulance with three high-capacity pumping sets, armoured hoses and other necessary equipment.
The situation is being closely monitored by HQ Telangana and Andhra Sub Area (TASA) and Infantry Division HQ. They are ensuring better coordination between the Army, civil authorities and other rescue teams.
Trapped around 13-14 km inside the tunnel
"Around 13-14 km inside the tunnel, some workers had entered for work when the roof collapsed," the official said. Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the state government is taking the help of experts, Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for the rescue operation.
The incident took place during tunnel construction work towards the entrance. He said that as per the information, while the work was going on, Then the flow of water increased. The trapped people include two engineers, two machine operators and four labourers. They are at a depth of 14 kilometres inside the tunnel.
Help sought fromrescue team of Silkyara tunnel accident
It is being told that a lot of debris has accumulated at the site, so the rescue teams are using drones to move forward and detect any possible danger. The rescue operation will continue at night as well.
The tunnel is filled with knee-deep swamp. Fresh air is being supplied to the people trapped in the tunnel. Sources said that the rescue teams are hesitant to go inside the tunnel as loud noises are still coming from inside.
Summary
Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the state government is seeking assistance from the experts who were involved in the rescue operation in Uttarakhand (Silkyara tunnel accident) last year and has also requested help from the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
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