Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: No contact with trapped men; Govt says rescue operation to end in two days

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: While rescuers have managed to cover a large part of the tunnel Tuesday — 13.79 km of the 13.85 km — the last part has been challenging because of a mix of water and slush at the collapse site.

The Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project site where a portion of the tunnel collpased, in Nagarkurnool district, Wednesday, Feb. 26, (PTI)

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: As hopes of finding the eight still trapped in the collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) alive slowly fades, a multi-agency rescue team continued Wednesday to devise a plan for the best method to cut across the slush and reach them. Meanwhile, Telangana Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday assured that the rescue operation will be completed in two days with increased pace of action. This comes as hundreds of tunnel workers still living in labour colonies inside the SLBC demand payment and release from work.

While rescuers have managed to cover a large part of the tunnel Tuesday — 13.79 km of the 13.85 km — the last part has been challenging because of a mix of water and slush at the collapse site. “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 PTI.

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The incident happened on February 22 when a portion of the tunnel collapsed trapping eight men inside it. The kin of those trapped inside the tunnel eagerly await their return as the strenuous rescue operation is ongoing. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Mallu Vikramarka promised that the state government would not give up until the eight men trapped inside are found.

Live Updates

Feb 27, 2025 01:42 PM IST

Rescuers begin cutting through boring machine to reach trapped workers

Vaibhav Gaikwad, Superintendent of Police, Nagarkurnool, told The Indian Express on Thursday morning that the men are using gas-cutting equipment to cut through the machine to make an access point and the work has begun. He added that the process of removing the silt and mechanical debris is underway simultaneously.

"Now, the decision has been taken to cut through the TBM. Earlier, this call was not taken due to the instability of the tunnel and soil. We will cut through the machine, and once the way is cleared, our men will go through the muck and debris to locate and rescue the trapped people. We are using all available resources at hand. This is the plan," a senior official further said. Read more.

Feb 27, 2025 12:36 PM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: Rescue ops intensified by removing obstacles to reach trapped persons

The teams engaged in rescuing eight persons who remain trapped in a partially collapsed SLBC tunnel have began cutting the part of Tunnel Boring Machine and other obstacles that are preventing them from going to the spot where they can search for the individuals.

Nagarkurnool Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad said the damaged part of the conveyor belt in the tunnel is expected to be repaired during the day to facilitate the transportation of debris.

“Yes, it's already (gas cutting machines went inside). (even during) Nights they did some cutting. Yes, it has already started last night,” the official told PTI when asked if the gas cutters started working. (PTI)

Feb 27, 2025 11:02 AM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: Alternate routes being explored to enter the tunnel

Uttam Kumar Reddy explained that alternate access routes to reach the Tunnel Boring Machine which was stuck in the muck are also being explored to mitigate risk and improve the speed of the rescue mission.

“One of the biggest challenges in the rescue effort has been the massive accumulation of muddy water obstructing access to the TBM. To tackle this, the state government has intensified dewatering operations using advanced machinery, ensuring water removal progresses rapidly,” he said. (PTI)

Feb 27, 2025 10:05 AM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: Rescue operations to end in two days

After being trapped for over four days following partial collapse of SLBC tunnel, the fate of the eight individuals remains unknown, even as Telangana Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday assured that the rescue operation will be completed in two days with increased pace of action.

Irrigation Minister Reddy in a press conference said it has been decided that the rescuers will go into the silt in the tunnel in search of the trapped men while acknowledging that the rescue operation was slowed down on Tuesday keeping in view the safety of the lives of the rescuers.

“The whole operation has been reviewed with all the officials, including from NDRF, Army, SDRF, District Collector, and superintendent of police...we have made a concrete plan of action today that we will go ahead into the silt (in the tunnel). Now we are hoping that we can complete the whole operation in two days. We have decided a plan of action and decided a timeframe, and now we will go forward," he said. (PTI)

Feb 26, 2025 09:53 PM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: How are workers and their families coping with the situation?

The situation has taken a significant emotional toll on families and workers alike. Many workers express feelings of fear and helplessness, especially those who witnessed the collapse. Families of the trapped individuals are anxiously waiting for news, while workers demand to return home, emphasizing their inability to continue working in such dangerous conditions. The overall atmosphere is one of anxiety and uncertainty as hopes for a successful rescue diminish.

Feb 26, 2025 09:52 PM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: What actions is the Telangana Government taking to address the situation?

A: The Telangana Government has escalated its rescue efforts by deploying elite forces and employing high-tech solutions to ensure the swift evacuation of trapped workers. Minister Reddy stated that a concrete plan has been finalized to protect both rescuers and survivors, with real-time monitoring of tunnel conditions being conducted using advanced imaging systems.

Feb 26, 2025 09:51 PM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: How are the workers at the SLBC labour colonies responding to the situation?

Hundreds of workers, primarily from Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, are voicing their concerns and demanding payment from Jaiprakash Associates Ltd, the company responsible for the tunnel construction. Many fear losing employment opportunities as work remains stalled indefinitely. Workers like Govind Sahu express that they cannot return to work in tunnels after witnessing the tragic events.

Feb 26, 2025 09:50 PM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: What are the main challenges the rescue teams are encountering?

One of the significant hurdles is the accumulation of muddy water obstructing access to the tunnel boring machine (TBM). The Telangana Government has intensified dewatering operations using advanced machinery to facilitate quicker access. Additionally, ensuring the safety of rescuers while navigating hazardous conditions remains a top priority.

Feb 26, 2025 09:26 PM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: What is the latest update on the rescue operations for the eight men trapped in the tunnel?

s of Wednesday evening, Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that the rescue operations are expected to conclude within the next two days. A multi-agency team, including the National Disaster Response Force and military units, is working diligently to devise strategies to safely reach the trapped individuals amid challenging conditions.

Feb 26, 2025 04:07 PM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: Here's what the rat miners say

A rat miner from the team, who had previously rescued workers in the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse, Munna Qureshi says, "Our team rescued 41 workers in Uttarkashi...We have to conduct a rescue operation here also. There is some difficulty, but we will solve the problem and give you results...The situation is serious here. It is a big mission...The Collector is saying to rescue all the workers. We are a total of 12 rat miners here."

Feb 26, 2025 01:25 PM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: Sniffer dog to be used to locate trapped as muck solidifying, says official

Rescuers are planning to use sniffer dogs to locate those who got trapped in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel in Telangana. District Collector B Santhosh said the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) is expected to give their point of view today on the stabilisation of soil and other issues, based on which the action plan would be drafted.

Santhosh also said the teams were able to reach up to the accident spot inside the tunnel using a thermal fishing boat. "Initially there was a hurdle of 40 meters (from the accident spot). The sludge was there. But that has solidified now to the maximum extent. So the team could go up to the accident spot… So we have a sniffer dog. We will take it. So with the dog's help, we will try to locate (the trapped)," the official said.

With PTI inputs

Feb 26, 2025 12:55 PM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: Accidents may happen during difficult works, says Jaypee Group founder

Jaiprakash Gaur, Founder Chairman of Jaypee Group, the contracting firm of Srisailam Left Bank Canal project that suffered partial collapse trapping eight persons, on Wednesday said accidents may happen during difficult works.

Jaiprakash Associates Ltd the flagship company of Jaypee Group was awarded the contract of tunnel boring of SLBC.

Speaking to reporters at the accident site, after meeting Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, the nonagenarian said he had seen six to seven accidents during his professional career.

"In these difficult works, such things happen. In my life, I think there might be six or seven accidents, the Tehri (project), in Bhutan, in J&K, everywhere. You have to encounter all this," he said.

Gaur further said the teams are doing their best to see that those trapped individuals come out.

PTI

Feb 26, 2025 12:07 PM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: 'Rescuers working out how to go about'

“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 PTI.

Feb 26, 2025 11:37 AM IST

Telangana Tunnel Collapse Rescue Live Updates: Rescuers reach end of tunnel

Rescuers on Wednesday were able to reach the end of the tunnel. However, they returned empty-handed after muck and debris prevented them from locating the trapped workers.

Feb 26, 2025 11:28 AM IST

Hi!

Four days after the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Telangana collapsed, the eight men remain trapped inside it and a high-stake rescue operation is underway. The kin of those trapped inside the tunnel eagerly await their return back home and grim scenario continues in Nagarkurnool.

Stay tuned her for latest updates on the rescue operation.

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