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Uttarakhand: Drilling through the rubble to create an escape route for the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, resumed on Friday morning after a temporary halt due to technical issues.
Expected Completion:
Bhaskar Khulbe, former advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that if everything goes well, the operation might be successfully completed by the evening. He mentioned that ground-penetrating radar data indicates no metallic obstruction up to five meters beyond the 46-meter point through the rubble.
Evacuation Method:
The trapped workers will be pulled out on low, wheeled stretchers one by one through a horizontal chute using ropes. The evacuation process involves placing concrete culvert blocks, hume pipes, and steel pipes to create a safe passage for the workers.
NDRF Demonstration:
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) conducted a demonstration on how the wheeled stretchers will be used to pull out the trapped workers. The evacuation process is designed to provide a safe passage for the workers during pipe pushing activities by the auger machine.
#WATCH | | Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) tunnel rescue: NDRF demonstrates the movement of wheeled stretchers through the pipeline, for the rescue of 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara Tunnel once the horizontal pipe reaches the other side. pic.twitter.com/mQcvtmYjnk
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2023
Platform Strengthening:
The 25-tonne platform, on which the Heavy American Auger machine is mounted, has been strengthened using an accelerating agent for the rapid hardening of concrete. This was necessary after the platform developed cracks during the rescue operation.
Incident Overview:
The tunnel collapse occurred on November 12, trapping 41 laborers inside. The collapse involved debris falling in the 60-meter stretch on the Silkyara side of the tunnel. The trapped workers are in a 2 km-built portion, including concrete work that provides safety.
Technical Hurdles
The drilling process faced a temporary setback on Thursday when the platform developed cracks, prompting a pause in the horizontal drilling through the debris. The platform was reinforced to ensure the stability of the equipment.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts
The rescue team faced minor vibrations during the pushing of the 9th pipe on Friday. The auger was pushed slightly back to reassess the force needed, revealing obstructions. The rescue operation continues to ensure the safe evacuation of the trapped workers.
The article outlines the latest developments in the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse rescue operation, focusing on the evacuation plan and the technical aspects of drilling through the debris.
