In the wake of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel collapse in Telangana's Nagarkurnool district, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi today reached out to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to discuss the ongoing rescue operations.
During a nearly 20-minute phone conversation, Reddy detailed the State's immediate response to the crisis.
He informed Gandhi that Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy was promptly dispatched to the accident site to oversee rescue efforts, and that specialized teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were also deployed to expedite the search and rescue mission.
The Chief Minister also elaborated on the medical assistance being provided to the injured workers and the proactive measures being taken to communicate with the families of those still trapped inside the tunnel.
Gandhi commended the swift actions and continuous monitoring by the State government. He urged that all possible resources be utilised to ensure the safe rescue of the trapped individuals.
Earlier, Gandhi had expressed his distress over the incident, and said, "Deeply distressed to learn about the tunnel roof collapse in Telangana. My thoughts are with those trapped inside and their families at this difficult time."
He acknowledged the ongoing rescue operations, and the collaborative efforts of the State government and disaster relief teams to bring those in danger to safety.
The SLBC tunnel collapse, which occurred on Saturday, has prompted a significant response, with multiple agencies working tirelessly to rescue the trapped workers and provide the necessary aid to the affected families. Eight workers are reportedly still trapped in the tunnel.