Rescue Mission Underway for Trapped Workers in Uttarkashi Tunnel

Rescue Mission Underway for Trapped Workers in Uttarkashi Tunnel

VoM News Desk | November 15, 2023 | 09:23 AM IST | Uttarakhand | Follow on Google News

Rescue Mission Underway for Trapped Workers in Uttarkashi Tunnel

Rescue Mission Underway for Trapped Workers in Uttarkashi Tunnel

In a critical rescue operation, efforts to drill a horizontal hole through approximately 30 meters of landslide debris commenced on Tuesday evening in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi area. This initiative aims to rescue 40 workers who have been trapped for three days in an under-construction tunnel. The operation involves using an auger drilling machine to create a passage through the landslide rubble.

Innovative Use of Steel Pipes for Rescue

To facilitate the rescue, steel pipes measuring 3 feet in width and 6 meters in length are being used. Eight of these pipes, which collectively span 48 meters, are already on-site. Additionally, five pipes with a width of 2.7 feet have been brought in to aid the rescue. This arrangement is expected to provide a safe and efficient way to reach and extract the trapped workers on the Silkyara side of the tunnel.

Challenges and Precautions in the Operation

The drilling process has been met with challenges, including the emergence of a significant amount of debris and a subsequent landslide that temporarily halted the work. To counter these issues, a sandbag wall has been erected to manage the debris. According to Dharasu Police Circle Officer Prashant Kumar, the trapped laborers have communicated via a handwritten note, indicating they are short on food but have sufficient oxygen.

Preparations for Post-Rescue Support

Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police, Arpan Yaduvanshi, confirmed that medical teams equipped with specialist equipment and ambulances are stationed at the tunnel gate. A temporary helipad, located about 0.5 km from the tunnel’s mouth, has been set up to facilitate quick medical response. Over 155 officials from NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and BRO are deployed at the site, and a six-bed temporary hospital, along with 10 ambulances and medical teams, is on standby for immediate support post-evacuation.

VoM News Desk

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