Uttarakhand: Rat-mining experts close in, 3 meter digging left; rescue likely soon

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Uttarakhand tunnel rescue LIVE Updates: Drone visuals show operation at Silkyara tunnel

New Delhi: The Silkyara tunnel rescue operation in Uttarakhand has reached ‘final moment’ and the 41 trapped workers could soon be walking free within hours, if no roadblock or impediment occurs.

Pipe laying work completed, evacuation soon says CM Dhami

“With the blessing of Baba Baukh Nag Ji, prayers of crores of countrymen and the tireless work of the rescue teams engaged in the rescue operation, the work of laying pipes in the tunnel to take out the workers has been completed. Soon all the labourers will be taken out,” CM Dhami said in a post on X.

Rat-mining experts close in, 3 meter digging left; rescue likely soon

Reports citing senior officials supervising rescue operation said that the rescue operation was a matter of just few hours now, if no impediment or roadblock happens.

The rat-hold mining experts started manual drilling through the rubble on Monday and today have closed in on the trapped workers. They are reportedly metres away from breaking into the tunnel. Latest reports suggest that there are just 3 metres of rubble between the rescue teams and trapped workers.

A total of 12 rat-mining experts were engaged in the rescue operation. They started horizontal manual digging while vertical digging was also being done, in desperate attempt to reach to the stranded workers.

Out of the 57 metre stretch, the miners are said to have reached 55.3 meters.

The rat-mining took over the operation after American auger machine saw irreparable damages.

Activity picks up outside tunnel, ambulances moved in

While the rat-mining teams are said to be meters away from the area of tunnel that caved in on October 12, a buzz of activity could be seen outside the site.

Ambulances are being moved in and those rescue & NDRF personnel outside the tunnel are seen gearing up for action.

The family members and relatives of workers holed inside the tunnel are heaving a sigh of relief over operation reaching near closure. They are waiting for the exit of their loved ones with bated breath.

In past couple of days, the rescue teams reached very close to excavating the trapped workers but it got thwarted as the mission got hit by unforeseen circumstances & setbacks.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had arrived at the spot to personally monitor the rescue operation.

Briefing the press, he exuded confidence that it would be done smoothly in couple of hours.

“It is expected that there will be a breakthrough around 57 metres. More of concrete is being cut with cutter,” he told newsmen.

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