31 meters of vertical drilling completed, significant advances made in the Uttarakhand Tunnel rescue operations

Vertical drilling has made significant progress in the rescue efforts to retrieve the 41 trapped workers in the collapsed section of the Uttarkashi tunnel which has entered the 16th day. The vertical drilling initiative at the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse site commenced on Sunday afternoon, targeting approximately 110 meters of the hill to facilitate the rescue efforts. The ongoing operation has seen a rapid advancement, with the drilling machine successfully penetrating 20 meters of the hill; however, the remaining 86 meters still necessitate excavation.

 The decision to employ vertical drilling arose after the horizontal drilling attempts using an American auger machine proved to be unsuccessful and encountered an unexpected setback when the equipment became lodged in a metal grinder during the operation. As the rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on safely evacuating the trapped workers from the collapsed tunnel section.  

Rescue operations for the 41 trapped workers in the collapsed Uttarkashi tunnel face new challenges due to rain forecasts and temperatures dropping to 4 degrees Celsius. The weather office predicts snowfall above 4,000 meters, adding to the difficulties for rescue teams. The workers have been stuck in the 4.5-kilometer tunnel since it collapsed on November 12. Now, adverse weather conditions like thunderstorms and hail, along with lower temperatures, make the rescue efforts more challenging. Despite these obstacles, rescue officials are confident in their preparedness to handle any situation.

As per reports, the vertical drilling machine is making rapid progress as it ascends from the hill's summit, and at the same time, a plasma machine from Hyderabad has been deployed to cut out the auger machine embedded in the pipe along the tunnel's side.  

The authorities have stated that ensuring the well-being of the trapped workers remains a priority and they receive essential provisions such as freshly cooked food, water, and medical supplies through a small 6-inch tunnel that has been strategically pushed in through the rubble.

Post the successful completion of the vertical drilling process, the next phase of the operation entails airlifting the 41 trapped workers out of the collapsed tunnel. The officials overseeing the operations are hoping to rescue operations in the next 24 hours if the efforts are not met with any further hindrances.