Telangana tunnel collapse: Silt removal intensified at sites where individuals are trapped

Race Against Time as Rescuers Battle Silt to Save Trapped Workers in Telangana Tunnel Collapse

A frantic rescue operation entered its third day on Friday as emergency teams worked around the clock to reach five workers trapped deep inside a collapsed irrigation tunnel in Telangana's Kothagudem district. The incident, which occurred Wednesday evening at the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project, has turned into a grim battle against time, waterlogged silt, and unstable geology.  

Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moment when a section of the tunnel suddenly gave way with a thunderous roar. "We heard what sounded like an explosion, then saw a wall of mud and water rushing toward us," said site supervisor Mahesh Reddy, who narrowly escaped with three other workers. "The last thing I saw before running was Ravi's helmet light disappearing into the darkness."  

Since the collapse, a small army of rescuers from the NDRF, SDRF, and local mining teams has been working in relentless shifts. Their efforts have been complicated by the treacherous conditions - each bucket of silt removed seems to be replaced by more oozing mud, while the threat of further collapses looms constantly. Early Friday morning, rescue teams reported a breakthrough when they heard distinct tapping sounds in response to their calls, confirming at least two survivors remain alive in an air pocket.  

At the surface, families of the trapped workers maintain a heartbreaking vigil. Lakshmi Devi hasn't moved from her spot near the tunnel entrance since Wednesday, clutching her husband's lunch box that was never eaten. "He promised to take our daughter to the fair this weekend," she said, her eyes fixed on the rescue operation. Nearby, an elderly couple sits silently, their son's safety helmet placed carefully between them like a sacred object.  

The technical challenges facing rescuers are daunting. Engineers have had to carefully reinforce the unstable tunnel walls even as they work to create a horizontal escape passage. Oxygen is being pumped into the cavity where workers are trapped, while medical teams stand ready with specialized equipment to treat potential crush injuries and decompression sickness.  

The incident has raised serious questions about safety protocols at the massive irrigation project. Preliminary reports suggest unexpected water seepage may have weakened the tunnel structure, though officials stress this section wasn't identified as high-risk. Telangana's Chief Minister has ordered a full inquiry while opposition leaders call for immediate safety audits at all ongoing tunnel projects across the state.  

As monsoon clouds gather overhead, threatening more rain, the rescue teams push forward with quiet determination. "We can hear them, we know they're alive," said NDRF Commander Vijay Prakash, his face streaked with mud and exhaustion. "That's all the motivation we need to keep going until we bring them out." The entire community now waits, hoping for a miracle beneath the earth.