The SLBC tunnel rescue operation enters its fourth day with no breakthrough. Advanced technology is being used to locate the missing workers trapped underground.
NAGARKURNOOL: The rescue operation to save the eight workers trapped in the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel has entered its fourth day, but their whereabouts remain unknown. Despite continuous efforts by multiple rescue teams, authorities have been unable to locate the exact accident site inside the tunnel.
The rescue teams, including personnel from the Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Singareni Collieries, and Hydra, have been working tirelessly without any significant progress. Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy are overseeing the operation at the site. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has left for Domalapenta and is expected to visit the tunnel soon for a review. However, criticism is mounting over Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s absence at the accident site and his failure to meet the victims’ families.
Rescue operations are being severely hindered by rising water levels and mud accumulation inside the tunnel, making it impossible for teams to enter. Advanced probe cameras from IIT Madras, high-resolution Aqua Eye cameras, and drones have been deployed, but they have not provided any useful results so far. Even when a team attempted to enter the tunnel, machinery failures forced them to retreat due to the difficult conditions inside.
Authorities have kept five ambulances and a team of doctors on standby, hoping for any possible breakthrough. Meanwhile, remote high-resolution cameras are being used to record footage of the affected tunnel area, providing crucial data for the next steps in the operation.
Hope Rests on Advanced Technology
Experts are relying on Aqua Eye and Flexible Probe cameras to detect the missing workers inside the tunnel. Developed by IIT Madras, the Aqua Eye camera has high-resolution capabilities that can scan up to 50 meters underwater, even identifying small objects in muddy water. The captured images will help experts determine the rescue strategy. Probe cameras are also being sent in, and specialists will analyze the visuals before deciding on the next course of action.
Government Under Pressure to Speed Up Operations
Following widespread criticism over delays in the rescue efforts, the government has intensified its operations using cutting-edge technology. Authorities have sought assistance from specialized teams experienced in handling similar disasters. Initially, efforts by NDRF, SDRF, and Singareni rescue teams did not yield results, prompting officials to bring in additional experts. The government is now coordinating all rescue units to identify a safe passage inside the tunnel while continuing its search for the trapped workers.
