Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Rescue operations resume for trapped workers; this is how they will be pulled out
Uttarakhand tunnel collapse update: Rescue operations resumed in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel on Friday morning after a temporary setback in efforts to rescue 41 workers trapped inside due to the tunnel collapse in Uttarkashi. Plans involve pulling out the workers using low, wheeled stretchers through a large pipe in a meticulously planned escape route.
Former advisor to the Prime Minister's Office Bhaskar Khulbe announced the recommencement of drilling through the rubble with an auger by 11:30 am. The operation aims for completion by evening if the process proceeds smoothly, following data from ground-penetrating radar indicating no metallic obstructions up to five metre beyond the 46-meter point within the rubble.
#WATCH | | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue: NDRF demonstrates the movement of wheeled stretchers through the pipeline, for the rescue of 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara Tunnel once the horizontal pipe reaches the other side. pic.twitter.com/mQcvtmYjnk — ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2023
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) demonstrated the use of stretchers to extract the trapped workers, showcasing the method of pulling them out through a horizontal chute using ropes.
For a safe passage, a 67-metre escape route has been constructed, involving concrete culvert blocks, hume pipes, and steel pipes from the vicinity of the pipe drilling machine, facilitating the movement of rescue personnel. The stability of the 25-tonne platform holding the Heavy American Auger machine, crucial for drilling through the debris, has been fortified using an accelerating agent for concrete hardening. The platform had encountered cracks during the rescue operation on Thursday, necessitating a temporary pause in drilling.
In the latest update, the pushing of the 9th pipe started at 1:10 am on Friday, advancing by an additional 1.8 metre. However, a minor vibration prompted a reassessment, revealing obstructions that required careful evaluation by the rescue team.
The incident, which occurred on November 12, led to a section of the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel collapsing, trapping the labourers within a 2-km stretch. Despite the completion of concrete work ensuring safety, the workers remain stuck within this portion.
Authorities continue their determined efforts to navigate the complexities of the collapsed tunnel, aiming for the safe rescue of the trapped workers.
- With inputs from agencies
