Rescue teams in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi are facing a race against time to save 40 construction workers who have been trapped under debris for over 120 hours following a tunnel collapse. The workers’ prolonged confinement is raising serious concerns about their physical and mental well-being.
On November 12, a section of the under-construction Silkyara Tunnel collapsed, trapping 40 construction workers inside. Elite rescue teams from Thailand and Norway, including the team that successfully rescued trapped children from a cave in Thailand in 2018, have joined forces to assist in the ongoing rescue operation.
Rescuers have drilled up to 24 meters into the debris and have installed four pipes to provide food and oxygen to the trapped workers.
Doctors have stressed the need for comprehensive rehabilitation for the trapped workers, as the prolonged confinement may require both mental and physical recovery processes. Dr. Archana Sharma, a consultant clinical psychologist, expressed concerns about the workers’ mental state, stating that they may be feeling fearful, helpless, traumatized, and frozen in time. Dr. Ajay Agarwal, Director of Internal Medicine, also highlighted the possibility of panic attacks due to the prolonged confinement in a confined space.
Furthermore, the workers may face health issues due to the ambient conditions, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, as well as the cold underground temperatures. Dr. Ajay Kaul, Chairman of Cardiac Sciences, warned that the lack of oxygen inside the tunnel can lead to suffocation.
The deployment of an “American auger” machine, flown in from New Delhi, has provided a glimmer of hope in the rescue efforts. This specialized equipment is expected to cut through 70 meters of rock in an estimated 12 to 15 hours, creating a pathway to reach the trapped workers.
The tunnel in question is part of the Char Dham project, which aims to improve connectivity to the Hindu pilgrimage sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
