The collapse of underground and underwater tunnels is not surprising at all. Many tunnels have collapsed in different countries in the world. The Uttarakhand’s Silkyara Tunnel in a highly sensitive Himalayan region of India has collapsed — according to multiple sources including the BBC — very recently. Additionally, many other tunnels collapsed in different countries including the 2006 Sasago Tunnel collapse in Japan and the 1999 Mont Blanc Tunnel collapse in Europe. But the impacts of the collapse of tunnels are far-reaching and devastating. It not only results in the loss of lives and injuries but also disrupts transportation systems, causes economic losses, damages infrastructure and brings other impacts.
There are definitely technical, maintenance based and other causes of the collapse of tunnels and delayed response. Some common causes include poor construction techniques, inadequate engineering design, excessive vibrations from nearby construction activities, geological instability, or natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, or flooding. Additionally, construction errors, inadequate maintenance and the age and resultant conditions of the tunnel contribute to tunnel collapse incidents in different countries. According to multiple sources including newspapers, the 2017 collapse of the Hsuehshan Tunnel in Taiwan took place driven by geological factors, along with poor construction practices and inadequate maintenance. But several causes including the complexity of the collapse, limited access points, ineffective emergency protocols response and poor communication play a significant role in ineffective response.
Governments definitely take regulatory, maintenance based and other measures to prevent the collapse of tunnels and provide immediate responses after their collapse. Governments have implemented stricter regulations and inspections on tunnel construction and the maintenance of them to prevent collapses and ensure the well-being of the public. Additionally, they invest in advanced monitoring systems that can detect any signs of potential collapse —allowing for timely intervention and maintenance — and allocate funds and provide training for teams for the repair and reinforcement of existing tunnels to prevent future collapses. Among others, governments also establish emergency response protocols and carry out rescue operations when tunnels are collapsed to save lives trapped in collapsed tunnels.
But there are various loopholes in government steps in addressing the causes of the collapse of tunnels and rescue operations. A lack of comprehensive planning and coordination is one of the crucial limitations. Government responses are often reactive rather than proactive, leading to delays in addressing the issues and potential risks to public safety. Additionally, there is a failure to involve relevant stakeholders, including local communities and experts, in tunnel engineering, resulting in a limited understanding of the problem and inadequate solutions. In 2012, China witnessed a tragic tunnel collapse in Guangdong province, where rescue operations were hindered by several causes including difficult terrain and limited access points, leading to delayed response.
Effective steps are crucial to prevent the collapse of tunnels in different countries. Planned technical review process, management of nontechnical aspects involved, regular inspections and maintenance of the tunnel structure, implementing proper support systems and monitoring ground conditions to detect any signs of instability are vital. But conducting thorough geotechnical investigations prior to construction, which can help identify potential risks and allow for appropriate design measures, and implementing appropriate measures may be helpful. Additionally, it is imperative to thoroughly identify the specific circumstances surrounding each tunnel collapse in order to prevent future incidents — along with ensuring the safety of tunnel infrastructure.
But effective efforts are crucial for timely post-collapse response. For this, a combination of specialized equipment, trained personnel and strategic planning is vital. Rescue teams need to be trained to navigate through the confined spaces of collapsed tunnels and locate trapped individuals efficiently. Additionally, implementing proper communication systems within the tunnel infrastructure can aid in rescue efforts in different countries. Among others, international cooperation is also crucial many times to carry out effective post-collapse response.
