Chiang Rai cave: Rescuers in race against time

[webfact]

Rescuers in race against time

By The Nation

 

Pilots of the 41st Aviation Battalion are preparing equipment that will be airlifted by a helicopter to Doi Pha Mee in support of rescue operations. Photo Rachanon Intharagsa

 

Worries over forecast for rains; backup plans in place as teams seek ways to rescue, treat the stranded youths
 

RESCUE TEAMS are racing against the clock in their bid to save 13 members of a local football club, most of them teenagers, from the flooded Tham Luang cave before heavy downpours resume and increase the floodwater level. 

 

“Weather forecast suggests downpours will return on Wednesday,” Meteorological Department director-general Wanchai Sakudomchai said yesterday. 

 

Floodwater poses the biggest obstacle to the rescue operations that began on June 23 when the 12 football players from the Mu Pa Academy in Mae Sai district and their coach went missing. 

 

They were last seen entering the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province. As flash floods hit the cave, they are believed to have been stranded inside for more than one week now. According to Medical Services Department’s director-general Somsak Akksilp, people can do without food for between 30 and 35 days if they are able to drink water. 

 

Royal Thai Navy SEALs ventured into the cave on June 25 to save the youths amid muddy floodwater, thin air and darkness inside. 

 

However, in the middle of last week, even the SEALs had to retreat to a spot closer to the cave’s entrance because of the rising and raging floodwaters.

 

Only after rains eased on Saturday, water-drainage efforts started to yield tangible results paving way for the SEALs to make significant progress inside the cave yesterday. 

 

 

As of press time, the SEALs were already 200 metres from a T-junction inside the cave. From that point, they will be only be about 1.5 kilometres from the so-called “Pattaya Beach” chamber where the footballers are believed to have gathered to stay clear of the floods.

 

The intersection is about 800 metres from the cave’s third chamber. Inside the chamber, SEALs have already set up their forward command. Light bulbs and oxygen tanks are stored there. 

 

 

 

Foreign diving experts from Britain, Australia and China have now joined the SEALs operations. 

 

At present, powerful pumps have been installed to pump out as much water as possible from the cave. The groundwater in nearby areas has been drained away to downstream zones too based on the beliefs that floodwater from the cave will then seep out faster. 

 

People living in downstream zones are willing to put up with flooding if it can assist the rescue efforts.

 

“This is a very good day for me,” Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said yesterday evening. 

 

His words led to widespread speculation that the rescue efforts must have progressed really well in the day. 

 

According to official records, a helipad has already been prepared atop Doi Pha Mee so that a helicopter can quickly send supplies and equipment for rescue teams working there. 

 

A shaft there looks promising enough as police paratroopers together with foreign experts have managed to go down to a depth of at least 40 metres. Explorations are ongoing to determine whether this shaft can connect to the dry part of the Tham Luang cave.

 

Engineering Institute of Thailand president Thanet Wirasiri, meanwhile, is working on another promising shaft. “This one is near the far end of the cave,” he said. 

 

Thanet said the first section of the shaft from its mouth stretched down for about nine metres after which it levelled for a stretch of two metres. 

 

“From there, the shaft stretches down vertically again for about seven metres and hits a rock,” he said. 

 

Thanet said although big rocks blocked the way, his team had not yet lost hope. “This is because imaging technologies have suggested that this shaft may connect directly to the latter part of the Tham Luang cave,” he said. 

 

Thanet said his team would sprinkle colourful powder into this shaft and see whether the water will bring it down to the cave. 

“If divers in the cave see the colours, we will plan our next step on how to remove the rock,” he said. 

 

Drilling solutions have already been taken up as alternate ways to save the stranded victims. 

 

 

Naval Special Warfare Command chief Rear Admiral Apakorn Yukongkaew meanwhile said the SEALs would not stop searching until the boys were found. 

 

At the mouth of the cave, medical workers already have plans on how to treat and move victims when the footballers are found. 

 

A field hospital has now gone up near the mouth of the cave to perform urgent surgery, if necessary. 

Ambulances are on standby and even helicopters, with sky doctors, are prepared to go ahead with airlifting victims once they are found. 

 

Yesterday’s progress

 

* The Royal Thai Navy’s SEALs set up a forward command in the third chamber of the Tham Luang cave.

 

* The SEALs venture out of the third chamber to get closer to “Pattaya Beach” where the stranded footballers may have gathered.

 

* The water level in the cave reduces due to all-out drainage efforts, which include powerful pumps and draining groundwater near the cave. 

 

* Explorations above the cave finish. There are two promising shafts for rescue operations.

 

* Additional drilling equipment is being brought to suitable areas.

 

* The area in front of the cave is off-limits to most vehicles, as officials arrange for the fastest transportation for the footballers when they are found. 

 

* Doctors plan swift delivery of medical help. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30349069

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-02

[Fish Head Soup]

Once this is all over perhaps they could consider installing some sort of permanent guide rope system after the rainy season in caves across the kingdom?

[Fish Head Soup]

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thanet said his team would sprinkle colourful powder into this shaft and see whether the water will bring it down to the cave. 

“If divers in the cave see the colours, we will plan our next step on how to remove the rock,” he said. 

Interesting that was actually suggested about 4 days ago by someone in a comment in the Bangkok Post readers comments section after an article about the drilling operations. The reader had said to use 'non poisonous dye' and the comment was shot down by idiots and had about 40 'dislikes'.

[webfact]

Medical teams in full readiness for emergencies

By The Nation

 

Arrangements made to treat footballers within 30 minutes of being brought out
 

MEDICAL TEAMS have made arrangements to deliver first-aid to the 12 football players and their coach within 30 minutes of the Royal Thai Navy SEALs rescuing them. 

 

At present, the SEALs have been diving through muddy waters inside the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province, in search for the youngsters who are believed to have been stranded since June 23 when flash floods hit the cave. 

 

Carriers for patients are now on standby, and immediate condition evaluations will be conducted.

 

If the victims are healthy enough, they will be brought out of the cave and placed in an ambulance in front of the cave for transfer to a well-equipped hospital. 

 

If urgent operations are required, victims will be sent to a field hospital that has been set up near the mouth of the cave. 

 

Triage and resuscitation teams have already been formed. 

 

Patients can be sent to Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital either by land-transport ambulances or helicopters. Sky doctors from police or military medical facilities will accompany them during helicopter rides.

 

Doctor on standby

 

Meanwhile an Army doctor, certified for military operations, is among the rescue teams ready to enter the “Pattaya Beach” chamber where the 13 missing Mu Pa Academy team members are believed to be taking shelter.

 

Colonel Dr Pak Loharachun, the commander of Medical Battalion, Nakhon Ratchasima, arrived at the Tham Luang cave in Mae Sai district on Friday.

 

He will be among members of three SEAL groups on standby to dive towards the Pattaya Beach section of the cave. A SEAL team is preparing necessary equipment and guide lines to enter the location in preparation for the three SEAL teams.

 

The doctor is certified in special courses including special operations, SEAL, commando, airborne delivery and reconnaissance.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30349062

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-02

[Thailand]

 

 

“This is a very good day for me,” Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osottanakorn said yesterday evening. "

 

This has to be a misquote or taken out of context? I can only see a good day if the boys are found alive, or in a different way at least found.

 

 

[greenchair]

Hoping today will be the day. 

Gosh their hearts are going to sink if they get to pattaya beach and find nobody even went there. 

As I suspect. 

[holy cow cm]

1 hour ago, greenchair said:

Hoping today will be the day. 

Gosh their hearts are going to sink if they get to pattaya beach and find nobody even went there. 

As I suspect. 

They will be there. Question is how many alive. Cave only had so many chambers. 

[mok199]

is a very good chart which helps us understand the complexity of this rescue...hopefully today is the day...

[pegman]

Beat the rains guys!

[Colabamumbai]

I hate to say this but if the boys had been alive they would have left the cave last Saturday before dark to bicycle home   There is always hope in my heart.

[BobbyL]

I just cannot understand how a group of school kids could have been able to go so far into this cave system, when trained divers and NAVY seals are struggling to do it. 

[cardinalblue]

Nice graphics!

 

Leaving the shoes behind still stump me....Obviously they encountered water so they would wade through and then start walking again - why wouldn't you carry your shoes with you to use once you got thru the puddle or the initial water? Did they think their entire trip inside would be walking thru water? Talk about a key decision-making point!

 

Still think locating the group's exact location via technology would have been the initial step one vs a blitzkrieg attack against nature. And before people jump on me for that statement, then if the technology doesn't indicate a sign of life, then that tells you something....only experts can tell you if they have confidence in the technology being used given the current condition....  

 

It's like diagnostic surgery vs exploratory surgery.... 

[doodle]

6 minutes ago, BobbyL said:

I just cannot understand how a group of school kids could have been able to go so far into this cave system, when trained divers and NAVY seals are struggling to do it. 

Because they went in before the rain and the subsequent flooding.

[BobbyL]

2 minutes ago, doodle said:

Because they went in before the rain and the subsequent flooding.

If that is the case it is still incredible they were able to navigate there way through with no equipment. 

[scorecard]

3 hours ago, Fish Head Soup said:

Once this is all over perhaps they could consider installing some sort of permanent guide rope system after the rainy season in caves across the kingdom?

 

Sure, but perhaps the entrances to this cave system (maybe others) should be totally enclosed in solid steel grating with a solid lock and entrance banned (except for special controlled research or whatever) during the known danger months and locked early if heavy rains start early. 

 

 

 

Edited July 2, 2018 by scorecard

[Damrongsak]

10 minutes ago, BobbyL said:

If that is the case it is still incredible they were able to navigate there way through with no equipment. 

It's easy to go forward, not so easy to find your way back when you are tired and don't remember the way.

 

I once climbed a sheer rock face on a cliff.  Perhaps no more than 20 meters.  But 2/3 of the way up, the rock was rather "rotten" .  No ropes, no hope of going back.  I was lucky to get to the top.  Youth...

Edited July 2, 2018 by Damrongsak

[kannot]

3 hours ago, Fish Head Soup said:

Once this is all over perhaps they could consider installing some sort of permanent guide rope system after the rainy season in caves across the kingdom?

Having been to a  few of the caves near sam roi yot  I can only hope so as they were really dangerous, old  broken stairways crumbling rails  old ropes  many broken and in some places none at all but badly needed.

Not as bad as the sam roi yot visitor centre boardwalk though, many rotten broken boards, a virtual death trap in the "mangrove walk" section.

[Formaleins]

15 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

Sure, but perhaps the entrances to this cave system (maybe others) should be totally enclosed in solid steel grating with a solid lock and entrance banned (except for special controlled research or whatever) during the known danger months and locked early if heavy rains start early. 

 

 

 

Indeed, we could close off all bridges, beaches too to prevent people from getting into a self inflicted mess, put 20 metre cordons around bonfires etc.- There is no cure for stupidity! There will always be people that do stupid things, go into places that anyone with half a brain would shy away from. Why is it that some people think that 99% of ordinary people should have to have restrictions put in place to "protect" the 1 %?

 

That cave has what looks like a 20 foot billboard near the entrance telling people NOT TO ENTER in the rainy season! 

 

Edited July 2, 2018 by Formaleins

[greenchair]

7 minutes ago, kannot said:

Having been to a  few of the caves near sam roi yot  I can only hope so as they were really dangerous, old  broken stairways crumbling rails  old ropes  many broken and in some places none at all but badly needed.

Not as bad as the sam roi yot visitor centre boardwalk though, many rotten broken boards, a virtual death trap in the "mangrove walk" section.

Almost all of these places have an entrance fee. Some of the money is supposed to be used for upkeep. Whose pockets is that money lining. Again. 

[jossthaifarang]

8 minutes ago, Formaleins said:

Indeed, we could close off all bridges, beaches too to prevent people from getting into a self inflicted mess, put 20 metre cordons around bonfires etc.- There is no cure for stupidity! There will always be people that do stupid things, go into places that anyone with half a brain would shy away from. Why is it that some people think that 99% of ordinary people should have to have restrictions put in place to "protect" the 1 %?

 

That cave has what looks like a 20 foot billboard near the entrance telling people NOT TO ENTER in the rainy season! 

 

I'm willing to bet that billboard was put in place after the fact.. TIT

[peperobi]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

RESCUE TEAMS are racing against the clock in their bid to save 13 members of a local football club, most of them teenagers, from the flooded Tham Luang cave before heavy downpours resume and increase the floodwater level.

After losing 7/8 days you begin to fight against the time? A little be late or? I really hope that is not too late.

[greenchair]

Funnily enough, the good news is, they haven't been found. Because if they were in any of the flooded chambers, they most certainly would have been found already. Therefore they must certainly be further forward. I'm sure the divers are inspecting each chamber as the go. 

[fullcave]

33 minutes ago, jossthaifarang said:

I'm willing to bet that billboard was put in place after the fact.. TIT

How much do you want to lose?

[ostyan]

1 hour ago, cardinalblue said:

Nice graphics!

 

Leaving the shoes behind still stump me....Obviously they encountered water so they would wade through and then start walking again - why wouldn't you carry your shoes with you to use once you got thru the puddle or the initial water? Did they think their entire trip inside would be walking thru water? Talk about a key decision-making point!

 

Still think locating the group's exact location via technology would have been the initial step one vs a blitzkrieg attack against nature. And before people jump on me for that statement, then if the technology doesn't indicate a sign of life, then that tells you something....only experts can tell you if they have confidence in the technology being used given the current condition....  

 

It's like diagnostic surgery vs exploratory surgery.... 

Leaving the shoes, flip tops may have a sense. The shoes should be wet and not easy to walk in the water in flip tops. Moreover, they are familiar with walking barefoot. ....

Hope the best

[webfact]

SEAL divers reach cave T-junction

By The Nation

 

Navy SEAL divers reached the T-junction inside the Tham Luang cave, the last stop before they head towards “Pattaya Beach” where 12 young footballers and their assistant coach are believed to be trapped.
 

The Royal Thai Navy SEAL Facebook page posted at 1.30am on Monday that the SEAL divers had laid the leading rope to the T-junction for other divers to follow.

 

The page added that six teams of divers used Chamber 3 as a forward command.

 

The page said divers from UK and Sweden would join the diving operation on Monday.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30349089

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-02

[steve73]

I hadn't realized the divers had progressed quite so far on June 26, just 400m from "Pattaya beach" (assuming the graphic in the original post is correct), and they have still not yet managed to get back there (or perhaps soon will).  Makes you realize just how much water collected when it rained, and what a brave effort the rescue workers are making.

 

Let's hope it's not all in vain, and the kids are found soon, preferably alive - but even if they are found dead, at least the rescue workers won't need to further risk their own lives.

Edited July 2, 2018 by steve73

[kannot]

1 hour ago, Formaleins said:

Indeed, we could close off all bridges, beaches too to prevent people from getting into a self inflicted mess, put 20 metre cordons around bonfires etc.- There is no cure for stupidity! There will always be people that do stupid things, go into places that anyone with half a brain would shy away from. Why is it that some people think that 99% of ordinary people should have to have restrictions put in place to "protect" the 1 %?

 

That cave has what looks like a 20 foot billboard near the entrance telling people NOT TO ENTER in the rainy season! 

 

agree  100% everyone has to suffer for the few cretins in the world, however some of these"tourist" features are real death traps

[cardinalblue]

The rains started early this year in May and volume fairy heavy throughout May and June. I don't buy the cave was dry they go in and then the a flash flood came and then they scurry to Pattaya beach...With what the drivers are encountering, that is an accumulation of the many rain storms since early May. It has just gotten worse with each successive rain. It is not a case of the cave was dry. kids go in and now one rainstorm there is 3-5 metres of water immediately...There was a lot of water in the cave BEFORE they entered. Maybe the last rain blocked their access out at the entry out so they had two options, try to swim out or keep going deeper into a watery cave. And it that is true, the water at the exit point rises and SO DOES the water level proportionately in front of them in the inward direction. 

 

The EOC is operating on the notion that a flash flood came, and kids outraced the rising flood waters on a dry surface (highly unlikely) in the dark to Pattaya Beach.   

Edited July 2, 2018 by cardinalblue

[Eric Loh]

Pray and hope that the boys and the coach didn't got separated which will make the rescue so much harder. 

[bristolgeoff]

hope they will be ok,but for sure time is ticking.the cave system must be huge and they must have a idea where they are.