In a critical India Tunnel Rescue mission, rescuers in Uttarakhand deploy risky vertical drilling to reach 41 trapped laborers. Challenges with earlier methods have prompted this daring strategy.
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India tunnel rescue: On Sunday, manual drilling will begin
because the auger machine becomes trapped inside.
In a race against time, rescuers in the mountainous state of
Uttarakhand are employing a risky strategy of vertical drilling to save 41 laborers trapped for over two weeks in the Silkyara-Barkot tunnel. The workers
became stranded after a landslide blocked the tunnel entrance with concrete
rubble, debris, and metal.
Initially optimistic projections were dashed as a specialized
drilling machine, brought in from the US, broke down after hitting a metal
obstruction. While repairs are underway, a team of 200 rescuers is manually
removing rubble using a pulley system, a time-consuming process.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has initiated vertical drilling into the tunnel cavity, acknowledging its increased risk. Geologists caution that drilling downwards can cause vibrations in the fragile Himalayan geology, potentially leading to more cracks and collapses.
The NDMA on Sunday said that vertical drilling has started to rescue 41 workers trapped in the #Silkyara tunnel for the last 14 days. Work is also on to retrieve broken parts of the auger machine and start manual digging. #SilkyaraTunnelRescue https://t.co/yiD0wUOdV9
— National Herald (@NH_India) November 26, 2023
As of Sunday, 15 meters of the required 86 meters for escape
passage have been drilled. The army and air force are aiding the operation,
with estimates suggesting completion by Thursday, though authorities warn it
could take "days or weeks" if further obstacles arise.
Arnold Dix, a tunnelling expert from Australia, emphasized the importance of a cautious approach. "It is impossible to overestimate the importance of patience and accuracy in this delicate mission. We understand that the timeframe might need to be adjusted to account for unforeseen difficulties as we work through the operation's intricacies. Still, our unwavering dedication is focused on the critical objective of safely delivering the people caught in this predicament. The human element at the centre of this rescue attempt is highlighted by the unshakable dedication to their safety and well-being, which drives every choice and action."
Constant communication has been maintained with the trapped
workers through supply pipes, ensuring the delivery of food, oxygen, and
medicines. An endoscopic camera monitors their conditions. Despite freezing
temperatures outside, the tunnel remains warm.
The public has been told by Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of the NDMA supervising the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue effort, that the operation has not ceased and that repair work is in fact actively underway. He underscored the rescue crews' unrelenting commitment to finding a solution, as well as their ongoing efforts and dedication. The update illustrates the operation's tenacity by showing that, in spite of difficulties, everyone is still focused on the mission to protect the safety and welfare of people impacted.
VIDEO | Uttarkashi tunnel rescue UPDATE: "Six plans are being adopted in a synchronised manner. Operation wasn't put on halt and is still underway in terms of repair work," says Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, NDMA member on Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation.… pic.twitter.com/ZNo6L8ZR5B
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 26, 2023
The Silkyara-Barkot tunnel is part of a $1.5 billion project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aiming to connect Uttarakhand's main pilgrimage sites. This ambitious initiative faces opposition from environmentalists and locals who fear environmental damage and the risk of landslides and subsidence.
