Uttarakhand Tunnel Rescue: Trapped workers participate in Yoga while rescue efforts are underway

All 41 workers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel are actively participating in yoga and other exercises while rescue efforts are underway to establish an escape route, as conveyed by Jaymal Singh Negi, the brother of Gabbar Singh Negi, one of the persons stranded for the past 12 days. Negi expressed optimism, anticipating 'good news' in the near future.

The incident occurred on November 12 when a segment of the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Barkot collapsed, ensnaring 41 laborers in debris on the Silkyara side. The trapped laborers includes two from Uttarakhand and Assam each, one from Himachal, eight from Uttar Pradesh, five each from Bihar and Odisha, three from West Bengal, and 15 others hailing from Jharkhand.

Jaymal Singh Negi told that his brother informed him about the trapped men engaging in yoga and exercises within the tunnel. He encouraged his brother to persist with these activities, stating, "I advised my brother to keep doing yoga, exercise, and walking, and he said yes, we are doing it."

CM speaks to workers

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the rescue site earlier in the day. He conversed with Gabbar Singh Negi and another worker, Saba Ahmed, inquiring about their well-being. Dhami provided updates on the ongoing rescue operation and offered prayers for the safety of all trapped workers.

Rescue efforts, utilizing an American auger machine, resumed drilling on Tuesday. By late Wednesday night, they had successfully drilled through 45 meters of the 60-meter debris stretch obstructing the Sikyara side of the tunnel.

Lt General (Rtd) Syed Ata Hasnain from the National Disaster Management Authority likened the rescue operation to a "war," emphasizing its unpredictable nature. He remarked that in this operation, 'Himalayan geology' serves as the adversary.

Stipulated time can't be decided

Inspector-General of Police Garhwal Range KS Nagnyal highlighted the uncertainty in the rescue duration due to machinery work. "The attempt at the rescue is in progress, and rescue is expected to be carried out very soon. It is machinery work, so a stipulated time can't be decided. The rescue work will go on at night as well," IG stated.

A total of 41 ambulances are stationed at the Silkyara tunnel site, with 31 from '108' and 10 provided by the administration, according to Mukesh Nautiyal, the project manager of the Operation 108 Ambulance initiative.