Rescue Workers Race Against Time to Save 40 Trapped Workers in Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse

Rescue workers in Uttarakhand are racing against time to save 40 workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel for more than five days. The workers are trapped beyond a 60 metre-stretch of rubble and being sent food, water and oxygen through pipes.

Rescue workers in Uttarakhand have bored through 24 metres of rubble at a collapsed tunnel, where 40 workers have been trapped for more than five days. The rescue operation is ongoing, and officials are hopeful that the workers will be rescued soon.

American Auger Machine in Operation

A 25-tonne American-made auger machine is being used to drill through the rubble. The machine is capable of drilling up to four or five meters per hour, but the operation has progressed at a slower pace due to the challenging conditions.

Backup Machine Being Flown In

As a backup, another auger machine is being flown in from Indore. This machine will be used if the American machine encounters any technical problems.

Workers Trapped Beyond 60 Metre-Stretch of Rubble

The workers are trapped beyond a 60 metre-stretch of rubble. They are being sent food, water, and medicines through pipes. There is constant communication with them, officials said.

Six-Metre Sections of Steel Pipes Inserted

The plan is to insert six-meter sections of steel pipes one after the other as the machine drills through the rubble. Each pipe has a diameter of 800 or 900 mm. So far, five pipes have been inserted.

Progress Slow Due to Alignment and Welding

The rescue operation is progressing slowly due to the time it takes to align and weld the pipes before pushing them through the debris. The operation also has to be paused occasionally due to fumes created by the diesel-driven machine and vibrations in the tunnel.

Vertical Drilling Being Considered

Officials are also considering vertical drilling as a means of rescuing the workers. However, the horizontal drilling currently being carried out is the best option, as a previous survey indicated that the other method could lead to more debris.

Relatives of Trapped Workers Allowed to Speak to Them

Relatives of the trapped workers and officials from their home states have been coming to the rescue site and allowed to speak to them through a pipe that runs through the rubble.

Trapped Workers Provided Food, Doing Well

The trapped workers have been provided food and are doing well. The auger machine is also working well, and officials are hopeful that the workers will be rescued as soon as possible.

Round-the-Clock Rescue Operation

The round-the-clock rescue work is being carried out by 165 personnel from multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Border Roads Organisation, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.The rescue operation at the collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand is ongoing, and officials are hopeful that the trapped workers will be rescued soon. The American auger machine is being used to drill through the rubble, and a backup machine is being flown in from Indore. The workers are being sent food, water, and medicines through pipes, and there is constant communication with them. The rescue operation is progressing slowly, but officials are confident that the workers will be rescued safely.