TG writes to Centre to to conduct seismological study to assess cracks and water saturation at SLBC tunnel collapse site

Telangana government requests seismological study after tunnel collapse, with eight workers trapped, as rescue efforts continue.

With more than 80 hours after the collapse of a portion of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel leaving eight persons working inside trapped and no trace of their whereabouts, the Telangana government has written to the Centre to conduct a seismological study by National Centre of Seismology to assess the volume of cracks and the extent of water saturation of the affected area.

With nine specialised rescue teams drawn from Centre and the State governments besides other agencies working round-the-clock, no breakthrough could be achieved till Tuesday (February 25) night. On Tuesday also teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies made a vain bid to reach the site of the disaster but with little success.

In the letter to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Telangana’s Special Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) Arvind Kumar said that a portion of the ongoing construction of SLBC tunnel works collapsed at 13.9 kms from the starting point for a portion of about 200 metres, which left eight workers trapped inside. He said the assistance of NDRF, SDRF and other teams that were involved in Silkyara tunnel rescue are being utilised.

He pointed out that that the portion that collapsed is underneath a rock which is about 400 metres deep. As a result of the collapse, a loud explosion took place and water came gushing in along with silt leaving the eight persons working in the front side of the Tunnel Boring Machine trapped while others managed to escape.

The letter said the investigative team from the National Centre of Seismology would be provided with support of field vehicles and manpower during the installation of the equipment and the field investigation of the affected area.

In the meantime, responding to a request from Telangana, the National Disaster Management Authority has requested the National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad and Geological Survey of India to conduct surface and sub-surface assessment of the incident site. It was mentioned that the assessment was needed for safety of the teams carrying out rescue operations.

As the situation appeared to be turning grim by each passing hour, four ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao and Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkata Reddy held a detailed review meeting with the agencies involved in the rescue operation. Two rounds of meetings were held with the unified command personnel.