Chinook Helicopter on Standby: Critical support for trapped workers in Uttarakhand Tunnel

In Uttarakhand’s Chinyalisaur, where the Silkyara tunnel collapse has trapped 41 workers for 17 days, a Chinook helicopter stands ready at the airstrip as a heavy-lift chopper for emergency medical aid. Positioned strategically, the helicopter serves as a backup, complementing the primary rescue plan centered around ambulances and a makeshift medical center.

The Chinyalisaur hospital, 30 km from the tunnel, and the premier All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Rishikesh, 160 km away, are potential destinations for airlifting rescued workers. However, the decision not to fly the helicopter during the night, as explained by Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd.), emphasizes the prioritization of safety and weather conditions.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel rescue: Chinook helicopter present at Chinyalisaur airstrip to airlift the workers after their rescue from Silkyara tunnel. pic.twitter.com/ZRFgM6VvDp

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

With one ambulance designated for each worker, a ‘green corridor’ organized by local police ensures swift transportation to Chinyalisaur hospital. The medical arrangements at Chinyalisaur include a 30-bed facility at the district hospital and a nearby 10-bed facility, reinforcing the preparedness for potential medical needs.

As of Tuesday evening, a mere two meters separate the trapped workers from freedom. Rescue teams employ a manual “rat-hole” mining technique after high-tech machines faced challenges. Progress is evident, reaching 58 meters with the assistance of ‘rat miners’ and Army engineers.

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National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, equipped with stretchers, take charge of the rescue operation. The plan involves a single NDRF member crawling through a two-meter-wide pipe to assess conditions and initiate the process of bringing the workers out. Specially-modified stretchers are employed, and a temporary medical center ensures initial examinations and first aid before transportation in ambulances.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue | Lieutenant General (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain, Member, NDMA, says “Chinook helicopter is present at Chinyalisaur airstrip…The last time to fly the Chinook helicopter is 4:30 pm. We will not fly it during the night. Since there is… pic.twitter.com/x6sYTXls7S

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

The Silkyara tunnel, a crucial part of Uttarkashi’s Char Dham all-weather road project, underscores the significance of the ongoing rescue efforts and the coordination of various resources for a successful outcome.