Dwindling oxygen proves major worry
Farmers sacrifice their land to help save kids, and the nation will never forget it, writes Dumrongkiat Mala
Rescue teams at Tham Luang have taken up a new challenge of feeding a 5-kilometre air tube into the partially flooded cave complex to pump fresh air in after oxygen levels fell to 15%, posing a health threat to the 12 young footballers and their coach.
The oxygen issue raises new concerns for the group who are currently being nursed by a medical team after being located by divers on Monday night.
It is believed that the large number of rescue workers in the cave has contributed to the reduction of oxygen.
At yesterday’s press conference, Naval Special Warfare Command chief Rear Admiral Apakorn Yukongkaew said laying the air pipe to provide more oxygen, coupled with communications cables, also carries significant risks.
In early hours of yesterday morning, Petty Officer 1st Class Saman Kunan, a Navy Seal, reportedly died from a lack of oxygen, according to Chieng Rai provincial deputy governor Phatsakon Bunyalak.
Petty Officer 1st Class Saman was part of the team trying to install the air pipe, according to Chiang Rai provincial deputy governor Phatsakon.
Rear Adm Apakorn allayed concerns about the group’s health, saying the young football team is under close medical supervision.
Rear Adm Apakorn said it is 12-hour journey for the divers who have to snake along the 1.7km distance between the forward command centre at Chamber 3 and Nern Nom Sao Slope where the boys are. The passage is narrow with bends and flooded with murky water.
“This is an unprecedented situation but we have to accomplish the mission and adjust our plans as circumstances change,” he said, adding that navigating the flooded cavern is still the only way to reach the group.
With more rain looming this weekend, rescue teams continue to work aroundthe-clock to drain water from the partially flooded cave hoping to lower the water level to the point where the 13 can be extracted without risks.
Army commander Chalermchai Sitthisad said yesterday whether or not the evacuation will go ahead depends on a number of factors — from the readiness of the rescue teams to the readiness of the boys to dive.
Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda said yesterday a drilling mission to reach the group from above is expected to begin this morning.
However, he said they would wait for the assessment from a British team, which was expected to arrive late last night.
“The prime minister has agreed to [the idea of drilling], and we have the equipment to proceed. But let’s see the assessment first. If the team says it’s best to remain in the cave, they stay.
“But if they say the water is dangerously high, a decision will be made,” added Gen Anupong.
Meanwhile, tech billionaire Elon Musk was sending specialist engineers to Thailand to help aid the rescue.
Mr Musk, founder of the Boring Company, as well as CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, tweeted that: “SpaceX & Boring Co engineers headed to Thailand tomorrow to see if we can be helpful to govt. There are probably many complexities that are hard to appreciate without being there in person.”
We’re all focused on the same thing: getting the boys back. NUAL PATUKARN RICE FARMER
Even though his 12 rai of paddy, the only source of income for his family, are now submerged and severely damaged by all the water being frantically pumped out from flooded Tham Luang cave during a mission to rescue 12 boys and their coach, Pairoj Jan-in, a farmer who lives nearby, is delighted and proud of his small but significant contribution to battling the rescue operation’s main enemy — water.
“Rice can be grown again, but the lives of 13 people cannot be brought back. Being a father and grandfather myself, I’m as worried about the well-being of these boys as if they were my own kids. I want them to be rescued safely as soon as possible,” said the 60-year-old.
Mr Pairoj is one of over 100 farmers who are sacrificing their farmland to help the rescue bid.
According to authorities, the diverted water has flooded more than 1,400 rai of farmland in four tambons of Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai District — Pong Pha, Pong Ngam, Si Mueang Chum and Ban Dai.
Nineteen high-powered pumps have now been installed inside the cave to reduce the water level, which has been coming down by 1cm per hour.
More than 128 million litres have been sucked out of the 10km-long cave and flooded lowlands surrounding the area since Monday. The excess water has been funnelled into nearby fields, streams and hastily dug wells.
Nual Patukarn, 66, another farmer in tambon Pong Pha, said this unnatural flood cost him more than 250,000 baht overnight. However he was not upset and voluntarily let his farm be flooded to help save the young football team who have been trapped for nearly two weeks almost 1km underground.
“I’m not saying the money doesn’t matter, but money should not be the most important thing in life. I believe other farmers in the area feel the same way,” he said. “We’re all focused on the same thing: getting the boys back. Everything else comes second.”
The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry said it plans to compensate all of the farmers.
It has also instructed the Department of Rice to assist them with the use of proper farming technology after the water has subsided, and urgently assess the damage to help them deal with rice seedlings.
Deputy director-general of the Rice Department Suwat Jearakongman said some of the crops on the damaged farms that were in an early stage of cultivation can be replanted with other types of rice that are more resistant to the cold climate and less sensitive to light. Other techniques can be implemented
to maintain the quality of rice during the harvest season, he added.
Somsak Saichuen, 52, a rice farmer in tambon Pong Ngam, said officials from the Chiang Rai Provincial Agricultural Office have already visited his farm to survey the situation and provided assistance.
“They have promised to pay 1,000 baht per rai as compensation. Although that amount may not cover all the damage, it’s still better than nothing. I think this is the time when everyone needs to show a spirit of dedication and sacrifice,” he said.