Uttarkashi rescue operation: What is vertical drilling and why it’s safer?

Regarding the following steps in the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation, experts claimed that vertical drilling wouldn’t require blasting and wouldn’t go against gravity.
Experts said on Saturday that because the auger machine malfunctioned on the fourteenth day of the mammoth rescue operation at the Uttarkashi tunnel, the mission has become more technically difficult and may now take longer. Lt General (Rtd) Syed Ata Hasnain, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), stated that patience is now needed because the rescuers shouldn’t be under any strain.

According to the NDMA member, the operation is unpredictable and the situation is similar to that of a war.
The Uttarakhand underground rescue effort has stopped while the rescuers investigate the

What would happen if the Augur machine broke inside the tunnel?

Although there have been glitches in the auger machine previously, the experts now feel that they should not rely solely on the device going forward. As the machine continued to bore through the rubble, metal barriers got in the way. It had to be removed each time it ceased to function. To remove it, the rescuers are currently cutting the machine. The rescuers will begin manual drilling and vertical drilling as soon as it gets out by tomorrow.

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The experts clarified that since the food pipe and the communication channels installed by the auger drilling have been operating flawlessly, the advancements produced by the auger machine won’t be wasted. They now wish to investigate vertical drilling. The pipe will only be pushed by the auger machine. The auger machine’s path is still in place.

However, these solutions might not be as quick as the auger machine’s horizontal drilling.
On Saturday, the experts clarified that since vertical drilling would not be against gravity and wouldn’t require blasting within the tunnel, it would be safer.

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What is drifting, the third alternative?

The rescuers are also considering drifting, which would require drilling from the sides; however, this option will only be available if there is enough room. It will require a lot of time and be a laborious procedure.

“Patience is required, regardless of the current methods we employ.” We must acknowledge that this is a really challenging operation. There are now two ways in use, but a third—the drift method—might be added in the near future. As of right now, the 47 meters of excavation have been completed; we just need to maintain stability and remove the damaged portion of the Auger machine.. I feel in the next 1-2 days the drilling will again start,” the NDMA member said.