Silkyara: After spending more than 130 hours within the dim and dusty Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi, the 41 workers who became stranded within are currently experiencing health problems including as headaches, constipation, and increasing levels of anxiety and stress brought on by claustrophobia and terror. Medical professionals stated that the present diet of dried fruits, puffed rice, and popcorn falls far short for people used to large meals three times a day, potentially endangering their health, even if officials claimed to be supplying necessities like food, drink, and oxygen.
Given the high concentration of silica in the tunnel, a prominent government physician from Dehradun warned of the immediate risk of pulmonary issues. “They might experience severe breathing problems following a week-long confinement in the tunnel. Furthermore, certain people may struggle to maintain regular blood pressure, pulse rates, and oxygen levels, as well as hypoxia,” the doctor warned. According to RCS Panwar, the CMO of Uttarkashi, they are doing the best they can given the situation. “As requested by the stranded personnel, we have already provided vitamin C and medication for constipation and headaches.” A number of workers voiced their dissatisfaction on Saturday morning during a visit to the site by a TOI team, given that rescue activities had been suspended since Friday.
“Our trapped brothers need food in their stomachs to digest the medicines,” yelled Tinku Kumar, a coworker. It is vital that the authorities comprehend that they haven’t had a healthy meal for a week. Dry fruits and popcorn are just not acceptable.
Concerns concerning possible mental health problems among the employees were also voiced by the Indian Psychiatric Society. The Indian Psychiatric Society’s vice-president, Laxmi Kant Rathi, stated that post-rescue “identification and counseling” was necessary, acknowledging that various people may have differing psychological reactions to the circumstance.
“Every mind reacts differently in such a situation,” he stated. After being confined to the tunnel for an extended length of time, there is a chance that the workers would experience mental health problems, such as episodes of anxiety and depression.
