Telangana SLBC Tunnel Rescue LIVE Updates: Government Aims to Locate Trapped Workers in Two Days

A rescue operation is underway to locate eight missing workers after a section of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapsed last week in Domalpenta village, Nagarkurnool district. The success of the mission largely depends on the recommendations of a high-level team from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which has advised complete dewatering and simultaneous de-silting of the tunnel.

Rescue Efforts Intensify

Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has assured that the rescue mission will be conducted at full scale, with expectations of locating the missing workers within two days. He also confirmed that alternative access routes to reach the tunnel boring machine (TBM), which remains stuck in the debris, are being explored to enhance safety and speed up the operation.

A key challenge in the rescue process has been the massive accumulation of muddy water, obstructing access to the TBM. To address this, the state government has intensified dewatering operations, using advanced machinery to ensure faster water removal.

Rescue Team Reaches Tunnel End, Finds Heavy Debris

In a significant breakthrough, a 20-member team comprising National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and expert rat miners managed to reach the end of the tunnel on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

However, Nagarkurnool Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad revealed that while the team successfully navigated through difficult terrain, they encountered heavy debris at the tunnel’s endpoint, making it difficult to proceed further.

"Earlier, teams could only reach about 50 meters before the tunnel’s end due to slush and debris. Yesterday, they managed to go beyond the 40-meter mark but found no trace of the missing workers," the official said.

Key Developments So Far

🔹 February 27, 2025 - 09:21 AM

Rescue teams reached the tunnel’s endpoint but found no signs of the trapped workers. They are now strategizing the next steps to clear the debris effectively.

🔹 February 27, 2025 - 07:21 AM

Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy confirmed that the full-fledged operation will continue for two more days. Experts have devised a plan to cut the rear portion of the TBM, allowing teams to remove silt, mud, and rocks blocking access to the trapped workers.

Stay tuned for further live updates as the rescue operation progresses.