Looking for life in the tunnel of death: drilling stopped in the tunnel due to rock, attempts to clear debris and reach inside again started

Posted on 12th Feb 2021 by rohit kumar

Efforts are on to rescue those trapped in the tunnel after the disaster in Tapovan in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand six days ago. A media report quoted an ITBP official as saying that the drilling started in the tunnel on Thursday has been stopped. The rock came after seven meters of excavation. The drilling team decided to work on the first plan itself, even after several attempts. The work of removing debris from inside the tunnel has been started again in the morning. The first change in the Rescue's strategy was made late Wednesday. It was then decided that drilling should be done within 72 meters instead of removing the debris in the tunnel. Hole down to 13 meters, put the camera inside, and find the safety of the workers in the second tunnel passing through the bottom.

 

2 more bodies recovered, now searching 168

District Magistrate of Chamoli, Swati Bhadoria said that 36 bodies have been recovered from the area so far. Two people have met alive. Search is on for 168 people now. Of these, 39 workers are feared trapped inside the tunnel. NDRF Commandant PK Tiwari said that bodies were being searched continuously in the riverbank area.

 

Machinery was sent by Chinook helicopter yesterday

On Thursday, Army Chinook chopper transported heavy machinery and manpower Chamoli for rescue. 14 passengers and 1400 kg load for NDRF and SDRF, five officers of Border Road Organization (BRO), and three tons of goods were transported here.

 

The operation had to be stopped due to increasing water in the river

The rescue operation was stopped on Thursday afternoon after the water level of the Dhauliganga river rose suddenly. The rescue operation resumed at night with a team of select members. According to the NDRF, the team was shifted to a safe place due to rising water. At the same time, the Chamoli police have been alerted to the surrounding areas. People have been asked to be vigilant. They do not need to panic. The drone is being monitored at the water level.

 

Due to the breaking of the glacier, the lake formed in the upper part of the Rishiganga river

After the glacier burst in Uttarakhand's Chamoli, debris has stopped flowing upstream (upper stream) of the Rishiganga River due to the accumulation of debris. Due to this, the water of the river has taken the shape of the lake. Due to the increasing pressure of continuous water, the lake may be broken and flood-like conditions may arise in the lowlands. Such fears have been expressed in the reports of experts coming from satellite images and ground zero after the tragedy.

 

SDRF team sent to take stock of the situation

DIG Riddhim Agarwal of Uttarakhand SDRF said, 'There are reports of water piling up and taking the form of lake above Raini village near Tapovan area. An aerial survey of the area has been done. On Friday morning, an eight-member SDRF team has also been sent on foot to inspect the spot. '