Subhechcha Ganguly 
Rescue operations are underway to evacuate eight workers trapped inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district, after a three-meter section of the tunnel’s roof collapsed at the 14 km mark near Domalapenta. The incident occurred early on Saturday morning, just days after construction work resumed following a prolonged hiatus. While some workers managed to escape, the remaining eight have been trapped for nearly 48 hours under difficult conditions. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been working tirelessly to reach the workers, but muck buildup inside the tunnel has made navigation challenging. Telangana Minister J Krishna Rao acknowledged that the chances of survival for the trapped workers are low, as debris and accumulated water hinder rescue efforts.
The NDRF has made significant progress, covering around 13.5 kilometers of the tunnel, primarily using locomotives and conveyor belts. Despite the difficult conditions, the team is working to drain the accumulated water and remove debris blocking access. Deputy Commandant Sukhendu Datta confirmed that the response team ventured into the tunnel on Saturday evening, but they are still unable to pinpoint the workers’ exact location due to the extensive rubble. Efforts continue as rescuers use rubber tubes and wooden planks to navigate through the obstructed tunnel in hopes of reaching the trapped individuals.
