Officials have announced the recommencement of the rescue operation for 41 workers trapped inside a tunnel in India’s Uttarakhand state, following a temporary halt due to complications. The workers have been stranded since November 12 after a section of the tunnel collapsed due to a landslide.
Efforts to free the workers are anticipated to be completed within the next 10-12 hours, contingent on the smooth execution of the plan. The rescue operation faced a setback on Wednesday when a drilling machine encountered a steel structure that impeded progress. Gas-cutters were subsequently employed to overcome the obstacle, causing a delay of approximately six hours.
Rescuers had successfully drilled through three-quarters of the debris trapping the workers, raising hopes for their prompt extraction by Thursday morning. Atul Karwal, Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), expressed optimism about completing the rescue if everything proceeded as planned, with preparations made to address any potential obstacles.
Authorities established contact with the trapped workers shortly after the incident, maintaining a supply of oxygen, dry snacks, and water through a pipeline initially intended for construction work. Regular communication and health updates have been provided to the workers, while friends and relatives anxiously await their rescue.
Mr. Karwal reported that Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to the trapped workers, who appeared to be in good spirits and optimistic about their imminent rescue.
The rescue operation involves sending multiple pipes of varying widths through the 60m (197ft) debris wall to create a micro-tunnel for the workers’ extraction. Challenges such as loose soil, hard rock, and falling debris have caused delays and obstacles. An American-made auger drill was brought in to tackle the debris, and once the final rescue pipe reaches the workers, a doctor will assess their condition.
Ambulances stand ready outside the tunnel to swiftly transport the rescued workers to a nearby hospital once the operation is successfully concluded. Source – BBC
