Telangana SLBC tunnel rescue LIVE updates: Government to locate trapped workers in 2 days

The State Government as a last resort has sought the help of Border Roads Organisation top officials

Rescue operation to trace the eight persons missing after a portion of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapsed last week hinges on the recommendations of the high-level team of Border Roads Organisation to completely dewater and start de-silting operations simultaneously.

Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy revealed that the rescue operation at the SLBC tunnel in Domalpenta of Nagarkurnool district, would be intensified at full stroke to locate the eight missing workers. The Minister expressed confidence that the operation would be completed within two days.

Mr. Reddy also said that alternate access routes to reach the tunnel boring machine (TBM), which was stuck in the muck are also being explored to mitigate risk and improve the speed of the rescue mission.

Also read: NDA batchmates join hands in Telangana SLBC rescue mission

One of the biggest challenges in the rescue effort has been the massive accumulation of muddy water obstructing access to the TBM and to tackle this, the state government has intensified dewatering operations using advanced machinery, ensuring water removal progresses rapidly, he added.

In a significant development, a team of experts engaged in rescuing the eight persons who have remained trapped for the past five days, were able to reach the end of the tunnel and return, a senior police official said on Wednesday (February 26, 2025).

“A 20 member team comprising NDRF, SDRF and rat miners were able to reach the last point 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.

February 27, 2025 09:21

Rescuers managed to reach tunnel end, could not find anything last night

In a significant development, a team of experts engaged in rescuing the eight persons who have remained trapped for the past five days in the partially collapsed Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, were able to reach the end of the tunnel and return, a senior police official said on Wednesday (February 26, 2025).

The teams earlier so far were able to reach up to 50 meters before the end of the tunnel only due to slush and debris. “A day ago, they were able to reach up to 40 meters (before the end of the tunnel). Yesterday, they reached (crossed) that 40 meters also,” the official further said. He further said the team searched at the location but could not find anything last night.

Full-fledged operation to locate missing missing in two days: Uttam

Rescue operation to trace the eight persons missing after a portion of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapsed last week hinges on the recommendations of the high-level team of Border Roads Organisation to completely dewater and start de-silting operations simultaneously.

Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy revealed that the rescue operation at the SLBC tunnel in Domalpenta of Nagarkurnool district, would be intensified at full stroke to locate the eight missing workers.

Mr. Reddy revealed that a concrete plan had been devised in consultation with experts involved in tunnel accident management, including those from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). “To overcome the obstacles, the rear portion of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) will be cut, allowing the rescue team to remove the silt filled with mud and rocks,” he said.