The rescue operations for the 41 workers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, have entered the 15th day, and challenges persist as the final phase is underway. Here are the latest updates:
Vertical Drilling Challenges
The ongoing rescue operation faced setbacks as the American auger machine, employed for horizontal drilling, hit a metal grinder in the rubble and broke down irreparably. With the horizontal drilling method abandoned, agencies are gearing up for vertical drilling.
Vertical drilling is now considered the next step to reach the trapped workers. Approximately 10% of the tunnel rubble remains to be drilled to create a pathway for inserting a steel pipe, through which the workers can be wheeled out on stretchers.
Possibility of Manual Drilling
If vertical drilling proves unsuccessful, agencies have indicated the possibility of resorting to manual drilling as a last option. While manual drilling poses fewer risks, it is less efficient and may take an additional 18-24 hours to complete.
Despite the challenges, authorities express optimism, stating that the trapped workers could be freed in the next 24-36 hours if the vertical drilling proceeds as planned. The Indian Army is set to join the operation, focusing on removing the stuck auger pieces.
Army’s Role in Rescue
After 15 days of efforts by various agencies, the Indian Army is stepping in to assist in the rescue operations. Their involvement includes cutting out the pieces of the auger machine that became stuck during the initial horizontal drilling.
The vertical drill machine and a plasma machine from Hyderabad are now active in the rescue operations. These tools are crucial for removing the stuck auger machine and creating an escape route for the trapped workers.
