Dringende en levensreddende reactie op overstroming in Thaise grot

In juni 2018 kwamen twaalf jongens en hun voetbalcoach vast te zitten diep in de Tham Luang Nang grot in het noorden van Thailand. Hevige moessonregens hadden het grottenstelsel slechts enkele uren nadat het team binnenkwam overspoeld, alle uitgangen afgesneden en een groot deel van de smalle gangen onder water gezet.

Dewatering pump capacity of 144 million liters of water

To support the rescue efforts, the Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) deployed two Hytrans mobile pump units with FloodPumps just outside the cave. The system pumped approximately 144 million liters of water per day for several days and diverted water flows entering the cave from outside.

Challenging rescue operation

Because of efficient dewatering, the water level in the cave steadily decreased, even with rainfall continuing. In total, more than a billion liters of water (the equivalent of 400 Olympic-size swimming pools) was pumped out of the cave.

Lowering the water level in the cave was essential to buy time for rescue teams working deep inside the flooded cave network. The cave had some extremely narrow parts and the main route was blocked. The Hytrans system’s high-flow capacity and rapid setup enabled efficient removal of floodwater in one of the most remote and challenging environments imaginable.

After 17 days (!) the entire group was finally rescued safely. An outcome made possible by fast coordination and international teamwork.

Hytrans systemen ingezet op locatie

• 2 HydroSub -eenheden
• Waterslang