The cause of death inside the tunnel is said to be leakage of methane gas.
A tragic accident occurred on Monday due to a landslide outside an under-construction tunnel in Namchi district of Sikkim. Due to its debris, the entrance of the tunnel has been closed. 27 laborers got trapped in the tunnel and many laborers have died. The cause of death inside the tunnel is leakage of methane gas. Due to gas leakage, low lighting and limited space, rescue teams are facing difficulties in the entire operation.
Methane is a natural gas buried in the earth's rocky layers for millions of years. It remains buried in rocks. As soon as blasting or drilling is done to dig a tunnel, or rocks break or move due to an incident like landslide, this suppressed gas starts coming out through the cracks. Same thing has happened in the case of Sikkim also.
When and how does methane become deadly?
It is not at all true that methane comes out only in closed places. It originates from oil and gas industrial areas and seeps from coal mines. Comes out of the garbage heap. Ruminant animals also release it. Methane also comes out from marshy areas.
When it comes out of the open environment, it mixes with the air and the danger is negligible, but when it seeps into a long, narrow and closed space where there is no natural flow of air, methane gas becomes deadly. Here methane gas replaces oxygen and when the oxygen level falls rapidly, the person falls unconscious and if the situation worsens, he dies.
Rescue mission is being conducted in the tunnel.
Why is gas dangerous?
Methane is a flammable gas. This small spark can cause explosion due to friction of power tools, machines. It can kill in many ways. Could cause an explosion. Can suffocate. People working in mines are at greater risk of death because they are closed. Fire catches fast. If this gas is leaking from somewhere and catches fire, a big explosion can occur.
Rescue mission is going on for rescue. Photo: PTI
How to protect yourself if there is a leak?
Avoid using electric switches, matchsticks or lighters at such places. If possible, try to make that place ventilated. Move away from the gas area. Try turning off the gas supply. Use gas detectors in closed spaces. With this we can find out whether gas is leaking or not.
The accident raised questions
The recent accident has raised serious questions regarding safety standards in under-construction projects. Natural challenges like heavy rains, landslides, weak rock formations and underground gas make construction work more risky, especially in the Himalayan regions. In such a situation, regular gas monitoring, better ventilation, emergency alarm, strong communication system and adequate rescue equipment are mandatory for the safety of the workers working inside the tunnel.
Continuous geological survey and risk assessment is also extremely important. The real reasons for the accident will be known only after an official investigation, which will make it clear which factors were responsible behind situations like tunnel collapse and gas leakage.
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