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Uttarakhand Tunnel Live Updates: “Workers Unlikely To Come Out Tonight”, Official As Drilling Stopped Again

Uttarakhand Tunnel Live Updates: “Workers Unlikely To Come Out Tonight”, Official As Drilling Stopped Again

by | Nov 24, 2023 | top-stories


Rescuers have drilled about 46 meters in the Silkyara tunnel

New Delhi:

Fresh hurdles have emerged in ongoing rescue operations being conducted at Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand as machines have again stopped. Efforts are now being made manually to inch closer to the trapped 41 workers.

“Auger machine has encountered some difficulty again and that’s why it’s being dismantled again. Simultaneously efforts are being made to way to trapped workers manually,” an officer in the knowledge of the operation said.

According to him, it seems that workers are unlikely to come out tonight now. 

“We are analysing the debris and trying to figure out if they can push through it or if it can be cut manually,” he said.

The workers have been trapped for the past 12 days after a portion of the under-construction tunnel on the Uttarakhand Char Dham route collapsed on November 12.

Here are the LIVE updates on the rescue operations:

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“Workers Unlikely To Come Out Tonight”: Official As Drilling Stopped Again

Fresh hurdles have emerged in ongoing rescue operations being conducted at Silkyara tunnel as machines have again stopped and now efforts are being made manually to inch closer to the trapped 41 workers.

“Auger machine has encountered some difficulty again and that’s why it’s being dismantled again. Simultaneously efforts are being made to way to trapped workers manually,” an officer in knowledge of operation said.

According to him, it seems that workers are unlikely to come out tonight now. 

“We are analysing the debris and trying to figure out if they can push through it or if it can be cut manually,” he said.

Drilling To Rescue 41 Trapped Workers Halted Again: Officials
Drilling at Uttarakhand tunnel to rescue 41 trapped workers has been halted again, officials said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Takes Stock Of Uttarkashi Rescue Ops

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today took stock of the rescue operation of the 41 workers trapped in a portion of the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi. He directed the officials that the last phase of the rescue operation should be conducted at a fast pace and with complete caution.

“The responsibility of saving the precious lives of 41 people trapped in the tunnel is on all of us. The people involved in the campaign will have to work day and night to make the mission successful with full efficiency, capacity, promptness and caution. There will be no shortage of resources for this work,” he was quoted as saying by the news agency ANI.

“This Is A War Being Fought To Save Sons Of India”: Rescue Official

A senior rescue official said that their efforts were “like battle” and that the final stretch was “critical”.

“By any means, we must get these brave men out”, Syed Ata Hasnain told reporters today, adding that “all resources” needed were being utilised. 

“This is a war that is being fought to save the sons of India who have been toiling up there in the mountains,” he said.

“We are going to be very, very careful in further progress”, Mr Hasnain, a retired general, added.

“Trapped Workers In Good Frame Of Mind”: Official

A senior government official overseeing rescue efforts told reporters today that the trapped workers are in “good frame of mind”. 

“We have to (drill) 14 metres further inside the tunnel,” Bhaskar Khulbe said.

“Pushing In Just Two More Pipes May Get Us To Trapped Workers”: Official
Only 10-12 metres of drilling is left for rescuers to reach the 41 construction workers trapped in the Uttarakhand tunnel for the 13th day now, but giving a timeframe for the rescue is difficult because unexpected hurdles have been delaying the work, senior officials said today afternoon.
“Rescue Op In Its Last Step” Uttarakhand Chief Minister

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today said that the tunnel rescue operation is in its “last step”. 

Speaking to reporters, he also said that Prime Minister Modi is taking all the updates about the difficulties that workers might face and has been discussing the solutions. 

“All the agencies of both the central and state governments are working together for the rescue operation. We hope that soon this operation will be completed and all the workers will come out,” he said.

Auger Machine Repaired Now: Uttarakhand Government

Uttarakhand government has said that the auger machine, which was damaged and had to be disassembled due to steel pipes coming in front of it and the pipe being inserted inside getting bent, has been repaired now.

Workers To Be Rescued By This Evening: ONGC Director

Amid the ongoing operation to rescue 41 workers trapped in a collapsed portion of the Uttarkashi tunnel, director ONGC Sanjay Bhatt, who is present at the site, asserted the labourers will be rescued by this evening.

“We are hopeful that the rescue operation will be concluded and the workers brought out safely by today. As of now, there is no major hindrance to the operation and everyone is hopeful that the workers will be rescued by this evening,” Mr Bhatt told reporters.

Union Minister General VK Singh Reaches Tunnel Rescue Site

Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways, General (retd) VK Singh, reached the Silkyara tunnel site on Friday to take stock of the ongoing efforts to rescue 41 trapped workers.

The workers have now been trapped for 13 days on the opposite end of a portion of the under-construction tunnel, which collapsed on November 12.

The rescue operations entered its final phase on Thursday, with officials saying that only a few metres were left to be drilled for the rescuers to reach the trapped workers.





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“Hamas Took My Daughter…”: Father Of Kidnapped 9-Year-Old Pleads For Her Return

“Hamas Took My Daughter…”: Father Of Kidnapped 9-Year-Old Pleads For Her Return

by | Nov 23, 2023 | top-stories


Emily Hand was kidnapped by Hamas in its attack on Israel on October 7.

A father is pleading for the return of his 9-year-old daughter. Emily Hand was kidnapped by Hamas in its attack on Israel on October 7. She is believed to be one of over 240 hostages currently held by Hamas. The father, Thomas Hand is pleading for Emily’s return after Israel and Hamas reached an agreement for a four-day truce. The deal calls for 50 civilian hostages held by Hamas to be released and for Palestinians in Israeli prisons to be released. 

“That’d be very great for everyone concerned on both sides,” Thomas Hand, 63 told The Guardian. “It gives me hope, but until I see her, until I’m holding her I won’t believe anything. Until I see it, I won’t believe it.”

Mr Hand during a press conference in London described his life as a nightmare. “I know the Israeli government and the army will do everything in their capabilities to get them back.” 

Emily was initially believed to be among the 1,200 Israelis killed during the surprise attack by Hamas in southern Israel. Now, she is counted among the 240 hostages in Gaza.

“My sole purpose in life now is to do everything I can to get my little daughter Emily back,” said Hand, who after living in Be’eri kibbutz for 20 years working in a printing house, now lives in a hotel near the Dead Sea. “Nothing else concerns me.”

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also shared a video on its Facebook page and wrote, “This beautiful 8-year-old girl Emily Hand was believed to have been murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7th. We now know she is being held hostage by Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Please share this and help us bring Emily home.”

Under the Israel-Hamas deal, the two sides agreed to a four-day truce so that 50 women and children under the age of 19 taken hostage could be freed in return for 150 Palestinian women and teenagers in Israeli detention, Reuters reported. 

The four-day truce will start at 7 am local time (05:00 GMT) on Friday and the first 13 civilian captives will be released at about 4 pm (14:00 GMT), the Qatari foreign ministry says.

The 50 hostages, among about 240 taken by Hamas in their Oct. 7 raid on Israel, are expected to be released in batches, probably about a dozen a day, during the four-day ceasefire.

Those involved in the deal have described the break in hostilities as “a humanitarian pause”. The pause will be extended by a day for each additional batch of 10 hostages released, Israel said in a statement.

The hostages are expected to be transported through Egypt, the only country apart from Israel to share a border with Gaza.



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Rahul Dravid Not Keen To Continue As India Coach, VVS Laxman May Take Over: Sources | Cricket News

Rahul Dravid Not Keen To Continue As India Coach, VVS Laxman May Take Over: Sources | Cricket News

by | Nov 23, 2023 | top-stories


File photo of Rahul Dravid.© X (Twitter)

Rahul Dravid is not keen on extending his contract as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team, with National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman likely to take over from him, sources told NDTV on Thursday. Sources have confirmed that Dravid, whose contract ended following the conclusion of the ODI World Cup last week, has decided not to continue as the head coach of the Indian team. Last week, India were beaten in the World Cup final at the expense of Australia.

Sources have also confirmed that former India batter and Dravid’s ex-teammate Laxman is likely to take the role of head coach.

Laxman has been named as the designated head coach for the five-match T20I series against Australia, starting later on Thursday.

Dravid was appointed head coach of the team, having also served as the head of the NCA, in 2021 after India’s campaign came to an early end in the T20 World Cup in the UAE.

Under the guidance of Dravid, India reached the finals of the ICC World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup, but the team lost to Australia on both occasions. They also reached the semi-final of the T20 World Cup last year, going down to eventual champions England.

However, India won the Asia Cup earlier this year with Dravid at the helm.

On being asked about his future after the final defeat to Australia, Dravid remained non-committal.

“I haven’t thought about it. I’ve just come off a game. I had no time to think about this and no time to reflect on this. Yeah, I will when I get the time to do that,” Dravid had said at post-match media conference.

India take on Australia in the first T20I at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag later on Thursday.

Topics mentioned in this article



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2 Army Officers, Soldier Die Fighting Terrorists In Jammu And Kashmir

2 Army Officers, Soldier Die Fighting Terrorists In Jammu And Kashmir

by | Nov 22, 2023 | top-stories



The encounter started after a joint operation was launched. (Representational)

Srinagar:

Two army officers and one soldier were killed in action after a fierce encounter broke in kalakot forests of Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. One soldier is reportedly injured in the encounter.

The encounter started after army’s special forces and police launched a a joint operation following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the forest area.

The Pir Panjal forest in Jammu and Kashmir have proved to be a challenge for the security forces in the last few years following a series of encounters. The terrorists use the dense forests to conceal their positions, taking advantage of the topography.

Terrorists take advantage of treacherous mountains, dense jungles and the alpine forests to hide their positions.

Last week, a terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in the Rajouri district.

The encounter broke out in the morning during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) by a joint team of army, police and CRPF in Guller-Behrote area of Budhal tehsil.



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Vir Das’ Speech After On International Emmy: “Here For India”

Vir Das’ Speech After On International Emmy: “Here For India”

by | Nov 21, 2023 | top-stories


Image was shared on Instagram. (courtesy: virdas)

Vir Das gave India much to cheer about at the 51st International Emmy Awards by winning an award for his Netflix special Vir Das: Landing in the Comedy category. The comedian-actor shared his first-ever International Emmy win with Derry Girls – Season 3. Now, Vir Das has dropped a video of his acceptance speech on Instagram. The clip of the speech – which is a love note of sorts to India from Vir Das – was shared with the caption: “Thank you for your laughter.” In his speech, Vir Das said, “More than anything else I am here for India. I would like to thank you for your laughter. It is a symphony of love, it is an orchestra of freedom, it is a universal lyric that reminds us we are not alone and it is the soundtrack to this idiot’s life. May it play louder until the entire world dances with us. Thank you. Namaste. Jain Hind. Assalamualaikum. Sat Sri Akaal. Love and peace. Thank you.”

In response, Nakuul Mehta said, “This is beautiful [heart emoji].” Maria Goretti wrote, “This is just so well deserved Vir, big big heartfelt congratulations.” Anusha Dandekar dropped heart emojis, while Pallavi Sharda reacted with fire emojis.

This is Vir Das’s second nomination at the International Emmy Awards. Previously, his special Vir Das: For India was also nominated in 2021.

Watch the video here:

Before the video of the speech, Vir Das also shared a bunch of images with the trophy and wrote, “For India. For Indian comedy. Every breath, every word. Thank you to the International Emmys for this incredible honour.”

Bollywood superstar Hrithik Roshan said, “Congrats. Well deserved.” Ayushmann Khurrana said, “Well deserved.” Sayani Gupta, “Woohoooooo whoa wowwwww.”

Shaheen Bhatt wrote, “Woohoo! Congratulations.” Malaika Arora wrote, “Wow so well deserved ….. Congratulations.” Rhea Chakraborty, “Wohooo.” “So proud of you Vir,” Vir’s Go Goa Gone co-star Anand Tiwari said.

Take a look at the post here:

Apart from Vir Das, actors Shefali Shah and Jim Sarbh were also nominated in the Best Performance by an Actress and Actor categories, respectively. 

Celebrating his fellow Indian nominees, Vir Das wrote, “Shefali Shah is a once-in-a-generation talent. Jim Sarbh is well on the same path. I could not have more respect for them, and it’s been a privilege to witness their craft and artistry these last few days.”

https://www.instagram.com/stories/virdas/3240815227003658847/

Shefali Show also congratulated Vir Das on Instagram Stories and wrote, “Congratulations Vir Das. You make us so so so proud.”

https://www.instagram.com/stories/shefalishahofficial/3240640280048932758/

In another post, Shefali wrote, “Vir Das, you won this for all of us.” 

https://www.instagram.com/stories/shefalishahofficial/3240650079956196965/

Jim Sarbh too congratulated Vir Das on Instagram Stories.

https://www.instagram.com/stories/jimsarbhforreal/3240645978269278214/

Shefali Shah was nominated in the Best Performance by an Actress category for her performance in the Netflix web series Delhi Crime Season 2. She was competing with Connie Nielsen from Denmark, Billie Piper from the UK, and Karla Souza from Mexico. Mexican actress Karla Souza won the award for her role in Dive.

Meanwhile, Jim Sarbh was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor for his role in Rocket Boys. He was competing against Gustavo Bassani from Argentina, Martin Freeman from the UK, and Jonas Karlsson from Sweden. Martin Freeman won for his role in The Responder.

 





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First Visuals Of Workers Trapped In Uttarkashi Tunnel For 10 Days

First Visuals Of Workers Trapped In Uttarkashi Tunnel For 10 Days

by | Nov 21, 2023 | top-stories


Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse: The rescue officials also spoke to some workers through Walkie Talkie.

Ten days into a daunting rescue effort, workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand were seen for the first time early this morning as a camera inserted through a pipe captured their visuals.

An endoscopic camera was pushed inside the tunnel through a six-inch pipe inserted through the rubble last night to send food for the 41 workers trapped since a portion of the tunnel caved in on November 12.

In the visuals, the labourers were seen in their hard hats and work gear, waving to the camera, communicating that they are coping well, given their trying circumstances. Rescue officials, speaking to the workers through Walkie Talkies or radio handsets, were seen asking the workers to come in front of the camera.

“Aap camera ke paas walkie talkie pe aake baat karein (come in front of the camera and talk to us through Walkie Talkie),” an official was heard asking them.

The rescuers trapped workers also had their first hot meal in 10 days as khichdi in glass bottles were sent through the pipe last night. Till now, they had survived on dry fruits and water.

The official in charge of rescue operations, Colonel Deepak Patil, said the workers would soon be sent mobiles and chargers through the pipe.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami shared the video of the workers, saying that they all are safe and will be rescued soon.

Over the past week, repeated attempts to rescue the workers have failed because of challenges including the topography and the nature of rocks in the area. Landslides also blocked efforts last week.

The Centre has devised a five-option action plan that involves drilling from three sides to access the trapped workers. Five different agencies have been tasked with carrying out each operation.

Two tunnels are being drilled horizontally from the right and left sides of the main tunnel, while a vertical shaft will be drilled from the top of the tunnel.

The round-the-clock rescue work is being carried out by multiple agencies, including NDRF, SDRF, BRO, and the ITBP. An international tunnelling expert team arrived yesterday and joined the efforts. A robotics team from defence research organization DRDO has also reached.

Officials said that all workers are safe and are being supplied food and water through steel pipes that have been drilled into the opening.

The under-construction tunnel is part of the ambitious Char Dham project, a national infrastructure initiative to enhance connectivity to the Hindu pilgrimage sites of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.





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