SLBC tunnel collapse in Telangana's Nagarkurnool traps eight workers about 14 km inside
A portion of the roof of the under-construction Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel near Domalapenta in Nagarkurnool district, Telangana, collapsed on 22 February 2025, trapping eight workers about 14 km inside.
Summary
On the morning of 22 February 2025 about three metres of the roof of the under-construction Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapsed near Domalapenta in Nagarkurnool district, Telangana. Eight people, two engineers, two technical staff and four labourers, were trapped about 14 km inside, while 13 injured workers came out with the help of 29 others who escaped unhurt. Irrigation Department officials said continuous water seepage had caused the collapse and about four feet of water had accumulated on the tunnel floor. The trapped men included two engineers of the tunnelling firm Robbins, the rest being employees of Jaiprakash Associates. NDRF teams reached the site, the state government reached out to tunnel rescue experts including the team behind the Silkyara tunnel rescue in Uttarakhand, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and assured all assistance.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 22 February 2025, near Domalapenta, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana
- Project
- Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel
- Trapped
- 8 (2 engineers, 2 technical staff, 4 labourers)
- Location inside
- About 14 km inside the tunnel
- Cause cited
- Continuous water seepage; about 3 m of roof caved in
- Injured / escaped
- 13 injured, 29 unhurt
- Response
- NDRF, Army; Silkyara rescue experts sought
Practice MCQs 4 questions
The SLBC tunnel, part of whose roof collapsed on 22 February 2025, is in which district of Telangana?
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Correct answer: B — Nagarkurnool
The collapse took place near Domalapenta in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana.
What does SLBC stand for in the SLBC tunnel of Telangana?
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Correct answer: B — Srisailam Left Bank Canal
SLBC stands for Srisailam Left Bank Canal; the tunnel is being built for this irrigation project.
How many people were trapped inside the SLBC tunnel after the collapse of 22 February 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 8
Eight people, two engineers, two technical staff and four labourers, were trapped about 14 km inside.
Roughly how far inside the SLBC tunnel were the workers trapped?
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Correct answer: D — 14 km
The eight workers were trapped about 14 km inside the under-construction tunnel.