According to officials, rescuers drilling to extricate 41 workers from a tunnel in the Indian state of Uttarakhand are almost there.
When the rescuers heard a cracking sound while drilling on Friday, work was put on hold.
By 08:00 local time (02:30 GMT), the men might have left, an official told the BBC.
On November 12, a landslip caused a portion of the tunnel that the workmen were digging to collapse.
After several hours, the trapped men were contacted by the authorities, who provided them with water, oxygen, and dry snacks via a pipeline installed to send water to the tunnel for construction purposes.
Consistent updates have been provided by officials, who have stated that good progress is being made.
However, the workers’ friends and relatives have grown more concerned and irate, questioning why it is taking so long to free the men.
An endoscopic camera that had been slid inside through a new pipe on Monday gave some relief to worried relatives who had gathered near the tunnel. The camera showed footage of the workmen. They were asked to identify themselves in front of the camera by officials, who also gave them the assurance that help would arrive shortly.
Authorities claim they can now supply more food, oxygen, and other necessities like medications, cell phones, and chargers because the new conduit is wider.
Tuesday, rescuers packed khichdi, a rice and lentil dish, in bottles and brought it inside to provide the workers their first hot meal in ten days.
At 2:00 local time (20:30 GMT) on Wednesday, rescuers started drilling again close to the tunnel’s mouth, officials informed the BBC. Thus far, they have bored 39 metres (128 feet) into the rubble.
Up till now, they have succeeded in putting four 900mm-wide pipes through the rubble; according to officials, they are currently pushing 800mm-wide pipes into them and through the debris wall itself using a telescopic tunnelling technique.
READ ALSO: Indian investors promise to invest $14 billion in Nigeria
The idea is to create a micro-tunnel through which the workers can crawl out of the tunnel by sending numerous pipes of varying widths through the predicted 60-meter (197-foot) debris wall.
However, the rescue has been slowed down by a number of delays and difficulties brought on by hard rock, loose dirt, and falling debris.
At a news conference on Wednesday, authorities revealed that although iron rods were also found in the wreckage during the most recent drilling operation, the work was “thankfully” unaffected.
There was a lot of activity emanating from the tunnel’s mouth; machinery was buzzing constantly as rescue personnel dug through the rubble.
Additional activities are moving forward as well; efforts are being made to get in touch with the men on the opposite side of the tunnel.
On Wednesday, a senior official announced that they had also built a track and moved machinery to start vertical drilling through the mountain’s summit.
Officials said they are optimistic about saving the men, even though it is unclear how long the operation would take.
The man in charge of the rescue effort, Col. Deepak Patil, told the BBC earlier this week, “We are trying all our options and we will succeed.”
An official stated during the Wednesday press conference that they planned to provide some “good news” by tonight or tomorrow. Doctors are on the scene and chatting with the stranded employees, he continued.
Part of the federal government’s massive highway project to enhance connection to well-known pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand is the Silkyara tunnel in the district of Uttarkashi. Some of the holiest places for Hindus are found in the mountainous state, which is home to multiple Himalayan peaks and glaciers.
The surroundings are a rough, mountainous terrain. Even just strolling the perimeter presents challenges due to the presence of huge rocks and boulders.
It’s getting colder; people are bundling up in bulky coats and hats, and some are sitting by fires to warm themselves.
The area is prone to landslides and earthquakes and has a delicate biological balance.
BBC
