Ambulances, doctors, and helicopters stood ready at the tunnel entrance. Forty-one Indian workers remained inside, with the expectation that they would depart the mountain interior within the next several hours, nearly two weeks after the emergency began. Global media attention would likely follow the unfolding rescue saga, similar to other high-profile disasters. As one official stated on Thursday, the rescue operation would continue until the workers were safely brought out.
A massive landslide in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand blocked the exit of a tunnel that had been carved by dozens of laborers starting on November 12. The noise alerted twenty people nearby, who fled, while forty-one others remained trapped behind a 57-meter wall of rock, cement, and metal that had fallen from the tunnel ceiling. The plan was to drill a borehole measuring 90 centimeters in diameter to insert a rigid pipe for a potential slide-out route.
There were no major mishaps reported, though debris continued to fall and interruptions to the tunneling work occurred frequently. The day’s loud rumble raised fears of another landslide and prompted cautious moves by the trapped workers. The state faced shortages of excavators and other heavy equipment, with a relief effort that included aircraft delivering three pieces of heavy machinery. A powerful drill bit was on the ground, awaiting operation. The rescue team’s sense of progress turned cautious when a metal support beam shattered its blades just a short distance away. The mood was tense, but officials insisted that advances were possible. A Roads and Highways Ministry official, Mahmood Ahmad, floated optimism about receiving good news by nightfall or the following day if no new blockages appeared.
Vertical well option
Engineers evaluated alternative paths to access the trapped workers. The first option appeared risky: drilling a vertical well from the forested hillside could provoke further landslides in the gallery below. The second option, described as a bold approach, would involve drilling from the opposite end of the mountain, covering a distance of roughly 450 meters.
Families gathered in nearby settlements, moving from anger and despair toward guarded optimism as they endured setbacks and waited for updates. One woman, Chanchal Singh, expressed hope that the day would come when her cousin and others would emerge from the tunnel. The unfolding drama had the nation in its grip, and reporters followed the emotional transformations of those affected. Forty-one men waited along a two-kilometer stretch of road, framed by a corridor of rough terrain that stood nearly ten meters high.
Communication between the trapped workers and rescuers, as well as with their families, occurred through walkie-talkies. They received oxygen, small meals, water, and medicines via a narrow pipe. Medical experts advised mitigating anxiety through long walks on shaded porches, yoga, and meditation. The trapped group appeared to be in relatively stable condition, with the main complaints being dizziness, fever, and occasional vomiting. A camera was introduced through a slim endoscope two days earlier to assess the situation. Many looked exhausted but remained hopeful as authorities urged patience and pledged a careful, safe extraction.
Geologist alert
The ongoing operation heightened tensions among geologists who warned about the risks associated with hurried drilling in a region prone to earthquakes, landslides, and floods. The Char Dham project, a five-kilometer tunnel initiative meant to improve access to revered temples and border areas, faced renewed scrutiny amid the concerns.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the project against critics who warned about weakening the subsoil. In response, India announced that 29 tunnels currently under construction would be urgently inspected. The plan, led by the National Highways Authority, would scrutinize a dozen tunnels in the Himalayan region to ensure safety and quality standards, with results expected within a week.