SLBC tunnel rescue operations continue as the Army joins efforts to save eight trapped workers. Authorities are using advanced drilling techniques to reach them, while families anxiously await updates.
HYDERABAD: Rescue operations at the SLBC tunnel in Domalapenta have intensified, with the Army’s special team arriving at the site following a request from the Telangana government. The Army has joined forces with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other rescue teams to speed up the operation.
As of now, eight workers remain trapped inside the collapsed tunnel, with their whereabouts still unknown. Rescue teams have been working tirelessly, but thick mud, concrete slabs, and rising water levels continue to hinder progress.
High-Risk Rescue Operation Underway
Teams assessed the situation inside the tunnel and have devised a high-risk rescue strategy in coordination with the Army. The plan includes:
- Drilling from the left and right sides to create alternate entry points.
- Top-down drilling to reach the trapped workers from above.
- Use of tubes and other support materials to stabilize the collapsed sections.
Officials have deployed three separate teams along the 13-kilometer tunnel stretch, but access to the collapsed section remains challenging due to waterlogging and debris accumulation. Despite these obstacles, rescue personnel are continuing their efforts with renewed urgency.
Lack of Communication Raises Concerns
Earlier, rescue teams reported faint voices from inside the tunnel, raising hopes that some workers might still be alive. However, no sounds have been heard since early morning, increasing concerns about their condition. Officials are planning to drill further for clearer access, with estimates suggesting that crucial progress could be made within the next two to three hours.
Ministers Closely Monitoring the Situation
Telangana Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Jupally Krishna Rao are at the site, coordinating with officials and reviewing the SLBC tunnel rescue operations. Authorities are in constant consultation with experts to explore all possible ways to reach the trapped workers.
Meanwhile, anxiety and tension remain high among the families of those trapped. Relatives and local residents continue to gather at the site, hoping for positive news. Officials have assured them that every possible effort is being made to bring their loved ones out safely.
Rescue teams are expected to update their progress by 5 PM, as they continue their determined efforts to save the eight workers trapped inside the SLBC tunnel.
