Rescuers Face Race Against Time to Save Trapped Laborers in Uttarakhand Tunnel
In a dramatic rescue operation at the Silkyara tunnel collapse site in Uttarakhand’s hilly district Uttarkashi, brave rescuers are working against the clock to save the lives of 40 laborers who have been trapped inside since last Sunday. The situation remains critical as rescuers, including geologists, engineers, and tunnelling experts, explore various options to evacuate the trapped laborers.
The challenges faced by the rescuers intensified on Saturday afternoon when a loud cracking sound was heard at the site, halting the drilling exercise and making the road ahead even more treacherous. However, officials are hopeful that the Border Roads Organisations (BRO) road will be ready as an alternative route to the under-construction tunnel by Sunday afternoon, providing a glimmer of hope to the rescue efforts.
International assistance has also arrived at the site, with Chris Cooper, a renowned micro tunnelling expert from Australia, lending his expertise to the operation. Tunnelling experts from countries such as Norway and Thailand have also been consulted in the intense race against time.
The rescuers are battling on multiple fronts: ensuring the survival of the trapped laborers by providing them with a continuous supply of oxygen, food, electricity, and water; considering various evacuation options; and, most importantly, preventing any further collapse of the under-construction tunnel that could endanger the lives of those trapped inside.
To sustain the trapped laborers, oxygen, small food packets, and drinking water are being supplied through a pipe with compressed air. Walkie-talkies have also been used to maintain constant communication with the rescuers. However, the primary focus is on creating a safe passage for their evacuation.
After initial setbacks with low-capacity drilling machines, the Indian Air Force stepped in by airlifting a high-capacity American Auger drilling machine to the site. Although there were delays in assembling the machine, the rescuers successfully inserted a 22-meter pipe into the rubble. Unfortunately, the drilling process had to be halted after the machine’s bearings were damaged. The team faced further challenges while modifying the machine mounting platform, but additional plates were added to repair the damaged bearings.
On Friday, panic ensued at the site when a loud cracking sound occurred during the modification process. To prevent any further collapses, the rescuers temporarily halted the pipe pushing exercise. The situation has sparked worry among the rescuers as the constant vibrations caused by the drilling process increase the risk of further instability.
In an effort to overcome these challenges, top officials and experts have continued discussions on how to adapt to the new situation. An extra earth auger machine, delivered to the nearby Jolly Grant airport, has been brought to the accident site to support the rescue efforts.
As the race against time continues, the global community is closely following the unfolding events at the Silkyara tunnel collapse site. The dedication and expertise of the rescuers, along with international support, give hope that the trapped laborers will be saved from this perilous ordeal. The priority remains on ensuring their survival, finding the best evacuation solution, and avoiding any further collapses that could jeopardize their lives.
The world anxiously awaits positive news from Uttarkashi, hoping for the safe and successful rescue of the trapped laborers.
