The India Meteorological Department has issued an Orange alert in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, indicating the possibility of rain in the next 24 hours in these two states.
There is a possibility of rain and hailstorms in different parts of Uttarakhand, said R.K. Jenamani, head of weather forecasting at the IMD.
"In such a situation, this change in weather may create troubles in the rescue operation (at Silkyara). An orange alert has also been issued for Himachal Pradesh, predicting rain and hailstorms," the official said, reported ANI.
Authorities have started the drilling work to create a vertical escape passage for the 41 workers trapped inside the collapsed tunnel for the last 16 days. The tunnel being built between Silkyara and Dandalgaon in Uttarkashi district collapsed in the early morning on November 12.
The vertical drilling work began on Sunday after an augur machine that was carrying out the horizontal drilling met with multiple snags, and finally broke and got stuck in the debris.
Rescuers hope that the vertical drilling work is likely to be completed by November 30.
