At least seven workers were feared to have been trapped under debris as a portion of the roof of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project tunnel collapsed near Domalapenta in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana on February 22. Three injured workers have reportedly been hospitalised so far.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy instructed Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy to visit the accident site and monitor rescue and relief operations. “Some mud and water have gone in. We’re awaiting more information. The contractor’s workers are inside; we are yet to confirm how many people are stuck,” Uttam Kumar Reddy told the media.
Around three metres of the tunnel’s roof caved in while works were being carried out at the SLBC irrigation project, according to reports. Work at the site had begun around four days ago. The roof collapse occurred at the 14th kilometre inlet of the tunnel.
Revanth Reddy expressed shock over the mishap and ordered the Nagarkurnool District Collector, Superintendent of Police, Fire Services Department, Hyderabad Disaster Response & Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) and irrigation officials to rush to the spot and take up relief measures immediately.
The SLBC irrigation project is designed to provide irrigation and drinking water to Nalgonda district from the Srisailam reservoir.