Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse: 15 Days In, Rescuers Aim For 100-Hour Vertical Drilling Target As Horizontal Drilling Challenges Persist

Rescue operations continue for the 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand for the past 15 days.

Facing challenges with horizontal drilling, rescuers have shifted to vertical drilling, completing nearly 19.5 metres on 26 November.

As per reports by The Hindu, The goal is to drill through 86 metres of mountain in the next 100 hours, provided no unexpected issues arise.

The vertical drilling progress is considered promising, with a potential completion time of 100 hours.

Plans to restart horizontal drilling faced difficulties in retrieving broken parts of the machine.

The Indian Army, specifically the Madras Sappers, has joined the rescue operation, planning to perform manual drilling inside the tunnel.

However, potential setbacks include predicted snowfall and rainfall in Uttarkashi district, complicating rescue operations already navigating challenging conditions.

The trapped workers, initially accessed through a six-inch diameter pipe, are situated in an area offering safety with electricity, water supply, and provided food.

The Silkyara tunnel collapse occurred on 12 November, leading to the entrapment of laborers behind 60 metres of debris.

Multiple rescue options are being pursued concurrently to ensure the safe and swift retrieval of the trapped workers.