Domalapenta (Nagarkurnool): The Telangana govt, along with the executing agency of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project, is seeking expert assistance to investigate the cause of the tunnel collapse that occurred on Feb 22.
As the cause remained unclear, the govt has reached out to the National Centre for Seismology under the Union ministry of earth sciences, seeking an investigation into the geological conditions, cracks, and the extent of water saturation in the affected area. Although experts have identified the zone as a ‘fractured zone,’ the exact cause can be determined only after a thorough investigation, officials said.
The state govt urged the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) to assess the location and reasons for the collapse. The GSI has already joined the rescue operations, while the NGRI team is expected to begin their work by Wednesday, officials confirmed. The govt also sought assistance from the National Remote Sensing Centre, though their team is yet to be deployed.
The incident took place at the 13.90 km mark of the SLBC tunnel, where a 200-meter portion of the tunnel’s roof collapsed, trapping eight workers inside. The collapse triggered a massive flood of water and silt from the left side of the tunnel, exacerbating the situation.
Telangana’s special chief secretary for disaster response, Arvind Kumar, in a letter to the ministry of earth sciences, said, “The portion that collapsed is underneath a rock approximately 400 meters deep, and it appears there was a loud explosion, followed by gushing of water and silt.”
The investigation is crucial, as the ongoing rescue efforts are hampered by continuous water leakage of around 3,600 cusecs per hour and heavy mud accumulation. Officials are concerned about the safety of debris removal operations and the condition of the collapsed area.
Irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, who was at the site on Tuesday, expressed the govt’s commitment to completing the SLBC tunnel works despite the challenges. “The tunnel is a vital project for the state’s irrigation needs, and we will ensure its completion, even as we address the issues that have arisen,” he said.
