Rescue efforts persist on the 16th day as 41 workers remain trapped inside Uttarakhand's Silkyara under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has mentioned that the team is merely five meters away from reaching the trapped workers, having excavated through 52 meters of debris. It's anticipated that today, the rescue operations will achieve their objective.
Rat-hole mining operations began as the 16-day mission to reach the trapped workers inside the Silkyara tunnel continued. Skilled rat-hole miners from Delhi and Jhansi have joined the efforts to manually dig through about 60 meters of debris, with rescuers approximately 12 meters from the workers.
A timeline of the disaster and rescue attempts:
November 12: Tragedy struck as portions of the Silkyara-Dandalgaon tunnel collapsed due to a landslide on the Brahmkhal-Yamunotri highway, trapping the labourers. Rescue endeavours, including oxygen, electricity, and food supply through air-compressed pipes, were initiated promptly by the district administration. Various agencies like NDRF, SDRF, BRO, NHIDCL, and ITBP collaborated in the rescue.
Pic source: ANI/X
November 13: Contact was established with the trapped workers through an oxygen supply pipe, confirming their safety. Despite ongoing efforts, the accumulation of fresh rubble expanded the debris area from 30 to 60 meters, complicating the rescue.
November 14: Auger machines with steel pipes were brought to facilitate horizontal digging. However, more debris falling caused minor injuries to two labourers. Trapped workers received essential supplies as some reported nausea and headaches.
November 15: NHIDCL requested a more advanced auger machine from Delhi to expedite operations.
November 16: Installation and operation of the new drilling machine commenced past midnight.
Pic source: ANI/X
November 17: Progress was made as the machine drilled 24 meters through the 57-meter debris stretch. However, the process was halted due to an obstacle encountered by the fifth pipe. Another high-performance auger machine was brought in to aid the rescue efforts.
November 18: Drilling paused due to concerns about vibrations causing further collapses. Officials explored multiple evacuation plans, including vertical drilling.
November 19: Drilling remained suspended. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari favoured horizontal drilling with the auger machine and anticipated progress within days.
November 20: PM Narendra Modi discussed the rescue operations and encouraged morale. A breakthrough occurred with a pipeline inserted through the debris, enabling the supply of more provisions. Horizontal drilling paused due to an obstacle.
Pic source: ANI/X
November 21: The first video of trapped labourers was released. Alternative tunnel drilling began, potentially taking 40 days. Horizontal drilling resumed at Silkyara's end.
November 22: Ambulances and healthcare facilities were readied. Horizontal drilling reached 45 meters, encountering a hurdle with iron rods.
November 23: After resolving an iron obstruction, drilling continued. Cracks in the platform led to a temporary halt.
November 24: Drilling restarted but was hindered by a metal girder, halting operations again.
Pic source: ANI/X
November 25: The auger machine malfunctioned, prompting consideration of other rescue methods.
November 26: Drilling began from the hill above the tunnel, aiming to reach 86 meters. Injuries were reported in an accident near the tunnel.
November 27: Vertical drilling commenced but was suspended due to a significant cracking sound inside the tunnel.
November 28: The Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand has seen progress as pipes reached depths of 52 meters amidst ongoing efforts to rescue 41 trapped workers. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami disclosed that the breakthrough point lies at 57 meters, sharing this update with reporters in Silkyara.
Pic source: ANI/X
Progress in Tunnel Excavation: Uttarakhand's CM Pushkar Singh Dhami reported that pipes have been successfully inserted up to 52 meters through the rubble at Silkyara tunnel, where the efforts to rescue 41 trapped workers have continued for 17 days. The breakthrough point lies at 57 meters, as informed to reporters in Silkyara.
Rescue Plans for Workers: Post-rescue, the 41 workers will be taken to Chinyalisaur Hospital. Relatives have been instructed to prepare the workers' clothes and bags for immediate evacuation.
Specialist Drilling Efforts: Rat-hole mining experts have commenced manual drilling through the debris since Monday. These experts, not specifically rat-hole miners, were called in by private companies engaged in the rescue operation. Teams of two or three are expected to delve into the steel chute in brief intervals during the excavation.
Prime Minister's Updates on Rescue Operation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently been updated by CM Dhami regarding the ongoing relief and rescue operations in the Silkyara tunnel.
Pic source: ANI/X
Infrastructure Repairs for Smooth Evacuation: Efforts are underway to repair roads near the Silkyara tunnel, ensuring unimpeded movement of ambulances as the rescue operation persists.
Close to Breakthrough: With only five meters left to achieve a breakthrough in digging through the tunnel's rubble, preparations have begun to rush the rescued workers to Chinyalisaur Hospital for urgent medical care.
Assurance of Worker Evacuation: CM Dhami assured PM Modi that, barring significant obstacles, all workers would soon be evacuated. He stated the workers' health remains stable, with continuous efforts by relief teams.
Maintaining Communication and Support: Constant communication with doctors, psychiatrists, and families of the trapped workers is being upheld. Communication setups by SDRF and BSNL have been established to ensure ongoing contact.
Alterations in Drilling Operations: Vertical drilling on the hill has been halted temporarily. Manual drilling within the tunnel continues to ensure uninterrupted progress. Simultaneously, preparations for exchanging the vertical drilling machine are ongoing.
Pic source: ANI/X
Updates on Progress: During the 6th World Disaster Management Conference in Dehradun, CM Dhami mentioned the progress made, stating that the pipe had reached 53 meters. He highlighted the comprehensive support being provided to the trapped workers.
Anticipated Results and Assistance: Micro tunnelling expert Chris Cooper expects visible results by 5 pm, with only a couple of meters left to mine. Workers from Jio are aiding in the vertical drilling, providing data and voice services within a swift 12-hour timeframe.
Progress Update on Pipe Insertion: Neeraj Khairwal, Uttarakhand Secretary and Nodal Officer for the Silkayara rescue operation, informed during a press conference that the pipe has been pushed 55.3 meters in. He expressed optimism about reaching between 57-59 meters soon, provided no unforeseen hurdles arise.
Remaining Distance and Hope for the Best: Khairwal reiterated the progress made with the pipe insertion and expressed hope that with a few more hours of uninterrupted work, the breakthrough could be achieved by evening, urging everyone to remain hopeful.
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