The view of tunnel after it collapsed in Telangana

Six teams of rat miners have arrived in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool to assist in the ongoing rescue operation for the Srisailam Left Bank Canal collapse (SLBC), where eight workers are trapped.
Firoz Qureshi, a member of rat miner’s team, said that a total 6 more teams set to join their 6 teams who already arrived for the rescue of 8 more people, who are trapped after the tunnel collapsed.
“I have come from Delhi, our whole team has come from Delhi, Collector has called us here. 6 of us have come here and 6 more will be coming, we are a team of 12 people. In Uttarakhand, we had rescued 41 labourers…till now, we have not received much information. As of now, we have been told that we need to go along with NDRF and SDRF teams. It will be difficult to say something until we see the situation there,” he added.

These Rat miners were previously involved in the successful rescue mission during the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand that occurred on October 31 last year.
A miner from the team discussed the difficulties ahead, noting that the presence of water in the tunnel and the considerable distance would present significant obstacles during the rescue operation. Nevertheless, he remained optimistic about their chances of success.
” We have come from Delhi…we will go inside along with the NDRF and SDRF teams. We will be able to say something when we see the situation inside…our 12-member team rescued the labourers when an incident took place in Uttarakhand during Diwali…we took part in the last 26-hour operation…that situation was different from here…there is difficulty as the distance where the incident has happened is 14 km from entrance point and because of water as well…it might take some time, but we hope that we will succeed,” one of the members of the Rat miners team.
More than 48 hours, still 8 people trapped after tunnel collapsed
The survival prospects appear grim for the eight individuals who have been trapped for more than two days in the SLBC tunnel following its partial collapse. The rescue teams continue their tireless efforts to reach them. The Indian Army, Navy, NDRF, and other agencies have faced significant challenges in their rescue attempts, having to work through dense muck, intertwined iron rods, and cement blocks.
The accident occurred at the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district on Saturday morning.

A substantial rescue force comprising 584 skilled personnel from the Army, Navy, Singareni Collieries, and other agencies, alongside central and state disaster response teams, has conducted seven tunnel inspections. Official sources confirm that gas cutters are being used continuously to cut through the metal obstructions.
The rescue operation also employed sniffer dogs to locate the trapped individuals. However, their progress was hindered by water accumulation in the tunnel.
Chances of survival very, very remote: Telangana minister Krishna Rao
The chances of survival of the eight persons who remain trapped in the SLBC tunnel after a partial collapse two days ago are “very remote,” though every effort is being made to reach them, Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said on Monday.
“To be honest, the chances of their survival are very, very, very, very remote. Because, I myself went up to the end, almost just 50 meters short (of the mishap site).
When we took photographs, the end (of the tunnel) was visible. And out of the 9 meter diameter (of the tunnel)–almost 30 feet, out of that 30 feet, mud has piled up up to 25 feet”, he said.
“When we shouted their names also, there was no response…so, there is no chance at all,” he said.
‘Gush of water increased and loose soil also started falling off’: Survivor
During the ongoing rescue mission for the eight trapped personnel, survivors of the incident remained hopeful for their colleagues’ safe return whilst recounting the harrowing events they witnessed.
Nirmal Sahu, a worker from Jharkhand, described how on February 22 morning, they encountered a sudden increase in water flow inside the tunnel, accompanied by falling loose soil. He told PTI videos that whilst some workers managed to escape after recognising the imminent danger, eight individuals remained trapped inside.
Obi Sahu, who is related to one of the trapped workers, Sandeep Sahu, mentioned that several workers sustained minor injuries whilst fleeing from the tunnel.