The rescue operations to retrieve six-year-old Timmanna — who is stuck at a depth of 150 ft in a borewell in his father’s sugarcane fields in Sulikeri village, Badami taluk — continued on the fourth day amid several difficulties.
All efforts made to extricate him have proved futile so far.
Madurai-based Manikandan, who has designed a special gadget for such eventualities, joined the rescue operations on Tuesday night.
But his gadget failed because of the accumulation of mud over the boy’s head.
Manjegowda from Mandya district, who was unsuccessful with his gadget, returned home.
On Wednesday, the digging operation continued amid a brief spell of rain. They are trying to dig a parallel tunnel to the borewell using about a dozen earthmovers.
They have dug to a depth of 90 ft. However, personnel involved in the operation said if the boy could not be retrieved by any other method, the digging would have to continue for another four to five days to reach the boy.
District in-charge Minister S.R. Patil, who is constantly monitoring the work, said officials of J.K. Cement have been contacted to provide a heavy-duty suction machine to remove mud.
“We hope the suction machine will help clear all the mud. It would then be possible for Mr. Manikandan to use his gadget,” he told presspersons after consulting with officials.
He reiterated that the government would not stop rescue operations till the boy is brought out.
Meanwhile, Hanumantappa Hatti, Timmanna’s father, who fell sick on Tuesday, is recovering in Bagalkot District Hospital.
