SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live: Telangana irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy reviews rescue operations

Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy reached the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC)

Telangana minister inspects SLBC tunnel collapse site amid ongoing rescue operations

Multiple agencies are working to rescue eight workers trapped since February 22 in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel collapse in Telangana, as ministers Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Uttam Kumar Reddy visited the site on Monday to assess the ongoing operation. Read more

SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live Updates: Rat miners and NDRF rescue teams reach almost the end of the tunnel

Telangana minister inspects tunnel rescue operation

Such things happen in tough projects: Jaypee Group founder Jaiprakash Gaur

Rescuers managed to reach accident location, but unable to locate trapped

A team of experts engaged in rescuing the eight persons who have remained trapped for the past five days in the partially collapsed SLBC tunnel were able to reach the end of the tunnel and return, a senior police official said on Wednesday. The teams so far were able to reach up to 50 meters before the end of the tunnel only due to muck and debris.
"A 20 member team comprising NDRF, SDRF and Rat Miners were able to reach the last points of the (tunnel). But there was a lot of debris. They are working out how to go about," Nagarkurnool Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad told.

"One day before they were able to reach up to 40 meters (before the end of the tunnel). Yesterday they reached (crossed) that 40 meters also," the official further said.

Gaikwad further said the team searched at the location but could not find anything last night.

Visuals from Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel where rescue operation is underway

Deadly trap

SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live: Families of trapped workers arrive

Relatives of four trapped workers from Gumla district arrived at the site, anxiously hoping for their loved ones' safe rescue amid slow progress due to harsh conditions.

SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live: Government intensifies rescue efforts

Authorities have engaged top agencies, including Geological Survey of India, National Geophysical Research Institute, L&T, and Navayuga, to assist in identifying debris removal points.

SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live: Technical difficulties

Pumping machines failed due to clogging risks, and conveyor belt operations faced technical issues, with officials working to extend the reach of the tunneling locomotive (LoCo).

SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live: Severe slush accumulation

An estimated 10,000 cubic metres of slush has accumulated, reaching up to 10 feet in some sections of the 30-foot-high tunnel, obstructing rescue operations.

SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live: Specialist rat miners

Ten specialist rat miners from the Tunnel District Response Force (TDRF) entered the tunnel at 1 PM and returned after six hours of navigating difficult conditions.

SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy directives

Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy ordered JAL to complete dewatering by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning and instructed all rescue agencies to work in coordination.

SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live: Dewatering operation underway

Project contractor Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL) began dewatering efforts to clear water from the tunnel to locate the missing workers.

SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live: Last 50 metres remain critical

The trapped workers are believed to be within the last 50 metres in front of the tunnel boring machine (TBM), with no contact established so far.

SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live: Navigation challenges

Rescue teams used thermocol boats to navigate the hazardous terrain, aiming to bring out survivors or retrieve bodies. Heavy water and slush continue to hamper efforts.

SLBC Tunnel Collapse Live: Rescue teams reach collapse site

On the fourth day of the rescue operation at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse site, NDRF teams and rat miners reached the last point of the collapsed roof where eight workers have been trapped since February 22.