India

Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue: Workers’ dramatic 12-day ordeal nears end

In a race against time, the final phase of the rescue operation is underway to free 41 workers trapped for 12 days in an Uttarakhand tunnel. As of midnight, a mere 10 meters of debris separates them from freedom. The intricate operation involves drilling through debris, using an auger machine that faced a setback when it hit a metal obstruction. A metal cutter was swiftly employed to overcome this obstacle, ensuring the operation’s continuity.

The meticulous process includes pushing wide pipes through the debris, forming a crucial escape route for the trapped workers. Welders flown in from Delhi are poised to assemble the final stretch of the pipe once drilling concludes. The temperature difference between the tunnel and the outside, along with the psychological impact of prolonged confinement, are factors being considered in the rescue efforts.

Also Read: Varanasi: 12 lakh lamps will be illuminated at ghats of Ganga on Dev Diwali

However, the challenges extend beyond extraction; the workers, having received limited meals during their ordeal, require thorough medical attention. Upon reaching the surface through the rescue pipe, a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) doctor will assess their condition. The workers will then navigate the pipes, under close NDRF supervision, towards 41 standby ambulances outside the tunnel, ready to transport them to a makeshift hospital in Chinyalisour for comprehensive medical examinations.

The tunnel, a key component of the Char Dham project, is situated between Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarakhand. The 4.5 km tunnel, linking Uttarkashi and Yamunotri, faced a setback on November 12 due to a landslide, leaving workers trapped in an 8.5 meters high and 2 km long section. The region’s challenging topography and soil nature have impeded rescue progress, making it difficult for teams to provide a precise timeline for completion.

Also Read: Health emergency in China, outbreak of another mysterious disease after Covid-19

Despite these hurdles, rescue officers remain cautiously optimistic, stating that successful operations in the next couple of hours are plausible if conditions remain favorable. The collective efforts of rescue teams, coupled with the unwavering determination to overcome obstacles, highlight the resilience in the face of adversity during this critical rescue mission.

Priyanka Rai

Recent Posts

Trump Set to Sell His Tesla Car As Clash With Elon Musk Escalates

US President Trump is reportedly planning to sell his Tesla car, purchased in March to…

13 mins ago

Musk-Trump Fallout Threatens NASA And Pentagon Operations: Report

A recent fued between Elon Musk and former US President Donald Trump has raised serious…

48 mins ago

Rajeshwar Singh Honoured With ‘Excellence In Political & Public Life’ Award At House Of Lords

Rajeshwar Singh was honoured with the ‘Excellence in Political and Public Life’ Award at the…

49 mins ago

EaseMyTrip Launches ‘EMT Invest’ To Back Profitable Businesses: CEO Nishant Pitti

India’s leading travel tech company, EaseMyTrip, has launched a new investment platform named ‘EMT Invest’,…

55 mins ago

MyGov Launches Exciting Contests To Celebrate 11 Years Of Transformative Governance

Marking 11 years of transformative governance, citizen engagement platform MyGov has launched a series of…

3 hours ago

President Murmu And PM Modi Extend Eid Al-Adha Wishes, Call For Unity And Service

On Saturday, President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi extended warm wishes to citizens on occasion…

4 hours ago