Rescue teams in Telangana achieved a critical milestone in their efforts to save four construction workers trapped underground after a tunnel collapse, with advanced technology confirming their exact location 30 meters beneath the surface. The breakthrough followed 72 hours of continuous operations involving over 120 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local fire departments, and police. The incident occurred during heavy rainfall, which destabilized soil at the tunnel construction site in Telangana’s Yavat district, triggering the collapse and trapping the workers inside a 50-meter section of the structure.
Initial response efforts focused on stabilizing the debris field to prevent further cave-ins, with engineers deploying steel girders and hydraulic props to secure the area. By the second day, specialized equipment, including a 12-ton drilling rig capable of boring through 5 meters of rock per hour, was mobilized to create vertical and horizontal access points. Vertical drilling progressed to a depth of 40 meters, leaving 10 meters remaining to reach the workers’ confirmed location. Simultaneously, horizontal drilling faced delays due to unstable debris and water seepage, progressing at a slower rate of 2 meters per hour.
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and seismic sensors played a pivotal role in locating the trapped workers. The GPR system mapped subsurface structures to identify air pockets, while seismic devices detected faint vibrations from the workers’ movements. Aerial drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras monitored the site for surface shifts, ensuring responder safety. On the third day, a radio communication system established contact with the workers, who reported fatigue and minor injuries but remained conscious. Oxygen and nutritional supplements were delivered through a narrow pipeline inserted into the debris, maintaining stable vital signs.
Medical teams established a field hospital at the site, deploying six ambulances, two mobile intensive care units (ICUs), and 15 paramedics. Supplies included ventilators, intravenous fluids, and trauma kits, with a helicopter on standby for rapid transport to a nearby tertiary care facility. NDRF Commander Rajesh Yadav emphasized the priority of “controlled, methodical drilling” to avoid triggering secondary collapses, noting that the geological instability required pauses to reinforce drilled sections with steel casings.
State authorities confirmed the tunnel was part of a regional infrastructure project aimed at improving transportation links. Initial investigations attributed the collapse to prolonged rainfall softening the soil, though a formal inquiry will assess compliance with safety protocols. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed officials to allocate ₹50 lakh ($60,000) in immediate aid to the workers’ families and oversee round-the-clock operations.
Challenges persist, including fluctuating groundwater levels and the risk of machinery overheating during extended use. NDRF teams conduct hourly structural integrity checks using LiDAR scanners to map subsurface changes. Psychologists specializing in trauma are also onsite to support responders and prepare for the workers’ post-rescue care.
As of the latest update, vertical drilling is expected to reach the target depth within 12 hours, followed by manual debris removal to extract the workers. Horizontal drilling, though slower, provides a backup route if geological conditions worsen. Officials remain cautiously optimistic, citing the workers’ stable condition and the absence of major equipment failures.
The operation underscores advancements in India’s disaster response capabilities, blending technology with interagency coordination. Lessons from the 2018 Uttarakhand tunnel rescue and the 2023 Silkyara collapse informed strategies here, particularly in managing hydrological risks. With over 85% of the vertical shaft completed, responders anticipate a 24-hour window to safely conclude the mission, barring unforeseen complications.
Families of the trapped workers, housed in temporary shelters near the site, expressed gratitude for the responders’ dedication. Community volunteers have supplied meals and essentials to both rescue teams and relatives, reflecting widespread solidarity. The state government has pledged a comprehensive review of tunnel safety standards upon mission completion, aiming to prevent similar incidents in future projects.
