In the dim light of torches, rescue workers shouted into the collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, hoping for any response from the eight workers trapped deep inside.
These first visuals from inside the tunnel depict a scene of chaos as rescuers wade through knee-deep water, battling mud and unstable conditions, with the task of saving lives growing increasingly daunting. Water is seen flowing on the bottom of the tunnel while debris is seen accumulated at one end.
#Watch | Inside the high-stakes rescue of workers trapped inside Telangana tunnel pic.twitter.com/w8y7lh0gGZ
The SLBC tunnel, part of a massive project to channel Krishna River water to Nalgonda district in Telangana, has turned into a scene of tragedy. After a portion of the tunnel collapsed, rescue efforts faced overwhelming challenges — chief among them the flooding of the tunnel. The site has been transformed into a high-risk zone as rescuers prepare to drain the water, a task vital to any hope of reaching the workers trapped within the darkness.
With water pouring in from the surrounding hills, experts are now battling both time and nature. The collapse took place around 13 kilometres into the tunnel, which stretches underground for miles and has an interior diameter of 9.5 feet.
The most immediate priority is draining the tunnel, a process referred to as “dewatering.” High-powered pumps have been brought to the site, but even with technology, the sheer complexity of the rescue makes it a Herculean task. Once the water is cleared, rescuers will use conveyor belts and drones to navigate the treacherous terrain inside. The trapped workers — six from Jharkhand, one from Jammu and Kashmir, and another from Uttar Pradesh — are thought to be located in a small pocket of space near the tunnel boring machine.
Despite the grim circumstances, one lifeline remains intact: the ventilation system inside the tunnel, which continues to pump oxygen to the workers. Medical teams and ambulances are on high alert as the workers’ fate hangs in the balance.
Yet, drilling from above, which could be an option in other rescues, has been ruled out due to the dense rock that makes up the roof of the tunnel. With no other clear path, rescuers are left to rely on draining the water, navigating the mud, and carefully assessing the stability of the tunnel.
With every step forward, the urgency grows, and the visuals from inside the SLBC tunnel speak to the gravity of the situation. Every unanswered shout underscores the desperation and determination to bring the men home.
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