40 laborers are still trapped under the wreckage of the under-construction tunnel that collapsed between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi. After a landslide, the situation was initially reported on Sunday and it has been more than 72 hours since then.
On Tuesday, rubble from the landslide fell on the collapsed part of the under-construction tunnel, hampering operations as well as injuring two rescue workers.
Based on the information provided, the part in question has been found to be exceedingly weak, and as of right now, debris extending more than 50 meters forward of the trapped laborers still lies there.
As rescue operations are still underway, the section is also holding JCB machines, power generators, construction materials and several other small machines, thus making it difficult to reach the other side.
Three special planes, each carrying a 25-ton equipment, are anticipated to land at the location by Wednesday night. For the rescue effort, these devices would be useful in breaking through the rubble and moving the steel pipe to the other side.
Reports said some parts of a machine broke after coming in contact with a boulder.
The 800mm steel pipe will be inserted along the debris for 50 meters, according to rescue teams, to aid in the rescue of the trapped laborers.
Earlier too, a pipe was inserted through the rubble inside the tunnel to prepare an escape passage for the trapped workers.
