NEW DELHI: The Telangana government has deployed high-tech equipment, including drones, sonar, and portable camera robots, to locate eight men trapped inside the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel in Nagarkurnool district.
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Mallu Vikramarka assured that the rescue operation would continue until all workers are found.
The tunnel collapsed on Saturday morning, leaving the workers trapped. Rescuers have managed to clear 13.79 km of the 13.85 km-long tunnel, but the last stretch is proving difficult due to water, slush, and debris.
Visiting the site on Tuesday, Vikramarka said, โWe will not spare any effort to locate the eight persons. No stone will be left unturned, and we will not rest until we find themโฆ (We will do) whatever it takes, and for how many ever days it takes.โ
He also mentioned that international experts with experience in such rescues have been contacted for assistance.
Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that 11 national and state agencies are involved in the mission, including the Army, Navy, MARCOS commandos, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and experts from organizations like Singareni, HYDRAA, and the Geological Survey of India.
Reddy highlighted the difficulties in the rescue operation, saying, โThe increasing water flow inside the tunnel, silt accumulation, and heavy debris are creating major obstacles for the rescue teams. Despite these challenges, our personnel are displaying extraordinary dedication, working continuously without rest. We are deploying high-powered pumps to remove the floodwater, but the conditions remain extremely difficult.โ
To speed up the process, teams are also clearing a locomotive track inside the tunnel to transport rescue equipment.
So far, two kilometres of the track have been cleared, with two more to go before reaching the collapse site.
