Families await in agony as rescue efforts intensify in Telangana for trapped workers in SLBC tunnel collapse

Rescue Teams Head to the Sriam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) Tunnel and Dommalpenta Village of Desdayool District on Tuesday (February 25, 2025). | Photo credit: Nagara Gopal

With the massive multi-agency rescue operation involving 10 top agencies continuing in a tough and arduous situation on the fourth day, family members of trapped workers remain gripped by anxiety and hope.

On Tuesday (February 25), around noon, rescue teams from the Indian Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), and experts from private agencies braced themselves for a challenging day ahead.

The locomotives carrying food and emergency supplies entered the tunnel, determined to navigate above 13 km of the tunnel to reach the eight workers still trapped inside after the tunnel boring machine (TBM).

However, their path is riddled with obstacles — thick silt and other materials block the final 40 metres, where the men remain stranded.

While experts from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) have been called in to assess tunnel stability, rescue personnel face an uphill battle, dewatering and desilting the area to gain access.

Last stretch

According to official sources, the loco-track provides access up to 12 km, the track length is 13.5 km, and the teams covered 13.790 km. While there is no water in the tunnel up to 10.7 km, 1.5-metre-high water was present up to 10.95 km, and 2 to 2.5-metre-high water was present up to 11.300 km. It takes around one hour to travel for 12 km in the tunnel. A damaged tunnel boring machine (TBM) is located at 13.5 km, and efforts are being intensified to pass over the machine and reach the 40-metre-long stretch where the victims are trapped. Experts from GSI and NGRI have been roped in to analyse the extent of mud, water and condition of the earth and rock formation above the tunnel.

Officials claim that the last 40 metres contain a mixture of soil and mud, without any stones or solid materials. The mud extends up to 200 metres at a height of 15 feet, with an estimated volume of 10,000 cubic feet. The primary challenge remains the removal of this mud and water, while the area where the collapse happened is sensitive.

Repairs on the conveyor belt are underway and are expected to be completed by Wednesday evening. Once operational, the belt can remove up to 800 tonnes of solid mud per hour, while there is an estimated 10,000 cubic feet of mud.

Additionally, efforts are being made to deploy excavators to expedite the process. Meanwhile, 3,600 to 5,000 litres of spring water continue to enter the tunnel per hour. A single pipeline system will be used to extract both mud and water from inside.

Relatives of the victims accompanied an official from Jharkhand mining department, Avinash (left) at the camp of Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel accident site at Domalpenta village of Nagarkurnool district on Tuesday (February 25, 2025).
| Photo Credit:
Nagara Gopal

Meanwhile, the uncertainty surrounding the workers’ condition has left their families in anguish. Four of the trapped men hail from the Gumla district in Jharkhand, and their families were flown in by the Jharkhand State government to be at the rescue site.

Family members

Among them is Jithu Sahoo, father of 26-year-old Sandeep Sahoo, who was expected to return home this month. “We were informed about this tragic incident on Saturday evening (February 22) through fellow workers from our village,” he recounted, his voice choked with emotion. “We pray that my son comes out alive,” Jithu Sahoo added.

His elder son, Maharang Sahoo, who works in Vijayawada, has also rushed to the site to accompany his father.

A senior official from the Jharkhandd Mining department Avinash, who accompanied four relatives of the victims from Birsa Munda Airport, told the media that they had been apprised about the relentless efforts being made by the rescue teams at the directive of the Telangana government. “We are hoping for the best,” he said, adding that they would be saved “if a miracle happens.”