Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: How safe are trapped workers, as rescue op enters Day 5?

Rescuers are racing against time to evacuate the 40 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel on the Char Dham Pilgrimage route in Silkyara in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi. By 11 am Thursday, more than 100 hours have passed since the incident was first reported on Sunday, 12 November. As the rescue operation entered the fifth day, rescuers faced yet another setback when an auger machine brought to clear the debris and create an escape passage struggled to carry out the task. The trapped workers are being provided with oxygen, essential supplies of food and medicines through a six-inch pipe. The rescuers are in constant communication with them to make sure their hope is not lost. However, after days of being confined, health problems have begun to surface. Physical and physiological impact on workers For the first time after the tragedy, three or four trapped workers complained of mild headache and nausea to a general physician. Medication for vomiting and food like dry fruits, chickpeas, and puffed rice were sent in in response to these problems. On Wednesday, general physician Dr BS Pokhriyal spoke with the workers through the pipe. However, because oxygen is being supplied through the same pipe, the interaction was limited to brief exchanges. According to the Times of India, he said, “They said they have access to electricity and around one kilometer of space inside the tunnel to move about. This will work in their favour till the time they are evicted.” Dr RCS Panwar, chief medical officer, Uttarkashi, said, “Those inside the tunnel may have developed gastritis or anxiety issues. We’re constantly supplying essential medical items.” [caption id=“attachment_13393052” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] 800-900 mm diameter MS pipes being inserted through the rubble inside Silkyara tunnel to prepare an escape passage for trapped workers who were trapped inside after a portion of an under-construction tunnel collapsed, in Uttarkashi district. PTI[/caption] Medical professional have voiced concern about the physical and physiological difficulties that stranded workers would encounter due to the lack of oxygen and the claustrophobic surroundings. “We have kept aside 25-30 jumbo oxygen cylinders with 7,000 litres capacity. When the need arises, our staff will deliver them to the tunnel authorities,” he said, as per TOI. Air ambulances have been set on standby by district administration officials to transport individuals in need to AIIMS Rishikesh as soon as they are evacuated, reported Indian Express. Other mental challenges Stress and anxiety levels may rise as a result of the situation’s unpredictability as well as the physical limitations. Panic and fear might be brought on by the limited space and the sense of being trapped, according to Zee News, who quoted Dr Gorav Gupta, Senior Psychiatrist, Founder and Director, Tulasi Healthcare as saying. The report said feelings of loneliness, depression, and despair can also be exacerbated by spending days within a tunnel. Additionally, the experience may be distressing, leading to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in the workers. Family members protest at the site On Wednesday, workers, family members, and others demonstrated in front of the Silkyara tunnel under construction against the extended delay for the evacuation of stranded labourers, according to India Today. When the machinery meant to drill a passageway through the rubble to create an escape route failed to function on Tuesday night, the demonstrators let out their frustration over the lack of a backup plan. [caption id=“attachment_13393072” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Workers protest over delay in rescuing fellow workers trapped for over three days inside an under-construction tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway, in Uttarkashi district. PTI[/caption] The report says the labourers were seen raising slogans, “Hamare aadmi nikalo… (Take out our men…),” while demanding that their fellow workers be rescued immediately. Updates from the fifth day of rescue operations Tuesday’s landslide debris fell on the section of the tunnel that had already collapsed, impeding 70 hours of rescue operations and injuring two rescue personnel. An auger machine that was brought in to drill a passage through the rubble also proved to be a challenge for the rescuers. The Vardhman Engineering Works-provided machine was used to insert about two metres of pipe into the rubble, however, was unable to slice through the debris quickly enough. Subsequently, it was decided to take that machine out and install a larger one. [caption id=“attachment_13393132” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Rescue and relief operations underway after a portion of a tunnel under construction between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway collapsed, in Uttarkashi district. PTI[/caption] According to Indian Express, modern “horizontal dry drilling equipment with auger” manufactured in the United States was brought in by the rescuers. Two Hercules C-130 jets evacuated the machine from Delhi, which is typically used in procedures involving horizontal drilling, usually devoid of the need for water or other drilling fluids. This specialised equipment is expected to accelerate the rescue efforts. To operate this equipment, a team of experts has also arrived at the incident site and all essential preparations have been done, as per another report by India Today. Indian Express reported that the Deputy District Magistrate, Dunda/Executive Engineer, Construction Division PWD Chinyalisaur, police, fire brigade and other essential personnel have all been stationed at the Chinyalisaur airstrip. Additionally, equipment such as JCBs has been prepared for machine loading, and other things.

Col. Deepak Patil, who is heading the rescue efforts, told Indian Express, “There is high chance of plan B being successful. Its just a matter of few hours. In the first half an hour the mahine has penetrated around three metres, which is good. But we are going at it more cautiously so that we don’t damage the equipment. There could be some impediments inside. There are bent metal lattice girders and ribs in the rubble. However chances of boulders is less.”

“In this project we have used the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) which is basically (a combination of) drill and blast. The primary thought process behind this menthod is to continuously monitor the deformations as you go in. More the deformations, more caution, more rock bolts and more primary support,” he added. According to news agency AFP, as it races to save the trapped workers, India has sought advice from the Thai company that rescued children from a flooded cave in 2018. Rescue teams have decided to insert a 900mm wide mild steel pipe along the debris for 50 metres, which would help them rescue the trapped workers. With inputs from agencies