Telangana SLBC Tunnel Collapse: Nagarkurnool rescue operation enters 10th day, scientists conduct radar survey – 10 points

Under construction stretch in the tunnel of Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project where a section of roof collapsed, in Nagarkurnool district, Saturday, Feb 22, 2025. (PTI Photo)

The rescue operations for eight persons trapped under the collapsed roof of Srisailam Left Bank Canal entered the 10th day on Monday. Over 700 personnel from as many as 12 agencies are working tirelessly to rescue the engineers and workers at the canal site located in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool. As rescue operations rope in scientists for faster and more accurate assessment, here are 10 latest updates from Telangana tunnel collapse relief work:

1: The scientists at the National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad carried out a radar survey to detect human presence at the locations identified by the rescuers.

2: The Ground Penetrating Radar survey inside the tunnel detected presence of only metals with no sign of humans, the official said on Monday

3: Now, the scientists are shifting their focus on other locations. The GPR survey of other spots will be done soon, the officials said.

4: It’s a race against time for the rescuers as multiple issues are hampering the operation that begun soon after the incident on February 22 last month.

5: Water and slush is making it difficult to go inside the rescuers. However, the officials said that the conditions have improved slightly.

6: Drilling is being carried out at other spots where the scientist detected unusual activities. But so far, only metallic objects have been detected.

7: On Sunday, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also visited the rescue site. He said that the recue efforts will gain some pace after the conveyor belt is repaired. Today’s agenda will be to get rid of the silt and make the conveyer belt operational again.

8: The government is determined to resolve the crisis and is also willing to extend support to the families who suffered due to the accident, Reddy added.

9: The chief minister added rescuers were advised to use robots inside the tunnel for the mission considering their safety.

10: Apart from CM Reddy, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy also chaired a critical meeting. The state government maintains that there has been a lot of progress over the weekend.