Himachal tunnel collapse: Rains affects rescue operations

Massive drilling operations to bore a 40-meter vertical rescue channel, which was halted last night due to technical snag in the rig, is all set to resume once again on Sunday raising hopes for grueling action to evacuate trapped workers.

Some disappointment spread in the area on Saturday night even as the district administration expected the rescue to be completed as drilling was almost done and NDRF men were ready to evacuate two of the three trapped workers, after their seven-day stay inside the tunnel.

Deputy Commissioner, Bilaspur, Mansi Sahay Thakur said, “the fault in the drilling machine has been fixed and operation will resume with a renewed hope for early completion of the task. Let’s all pray to see things going smooth”.

The new challenge for rescue operations at the site is rainfall. The administration, last night, took precautions to create a drain for water inflow and protected the site of drilling.

“Rain can surely impede the progress that’s why we have taken steps to ensure drainage at the work site and possible waterproofing is done,” she said.

There was a major worry that a drainage channel passing right above the tunnel—where the boring was being done could get blocked due to rains and ingress of the water. The administration and Himalayan Construction company deployed it’s man power to create a drainage for a unblocked flow of rain water, so as to avoid any damming.
Officials said the super-speed hydraulic machine used for drilling the 1.3-meter wide bore developed a major snag due to extensive and long drilling hours. Its parts were to be replaced and re-serviced. Now, the parts have reached from Delhi and repairs have been completed.

Till last evening drilling was done up to 39.5 meters and casing of the rescue tunnel was started. Once the job is done, the NDRF personnel, who are on stand by, will go down into the rescue tunnel first, and will cut down the ribs at the tunnel’s surface to break open the entry into the tunnel.

Of the three trapped workers, only two have been contacted through a remote video camera and microphone .There have been supplied water, juice, dry fruits and food through a small hole to maintain a line of communication with them. Medical teams are also camping at the site alongwith a psychologist to keep watch on the health condition of the trapped workers. The fate of Hriday Ram is still unknown.

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Source:Indianexpress

Himachal tunnel collapse