The young football team which has brought the people together are fighting every hour as they are the stuck in the vast and monsoon-flooded Tham Luang Cave in northern Thailand since June 23. Boys aged 11 to 16 years along with their 25-year-old coach were found deep inside the cave on July 2 after they went missing. The rescue team are battling against the clock to beat the rains which are speculated on July 14 and as per reports they have managed to reduce the water levels in the cave to free the survivors.

A flood is expected to hit the area in a couple of days that could force the water level up. With an immense struggle, the boys and their coach have received medical attention, food, blankets and now the rescuers are trying to run cables through the cave tunnel so that the soccer team can speak with their families. Chiang Rai Governor Narongsak Osotthanakorn told the media that they were “racing against water”. The Tham Luang Cave is generally flooded during monsoon until September or October; it raises the fear that any delay could risk the boys trapped in the cave.

Parts of the walkway which leads to where the boys and coach were found are still flooded all the way to the ceiling. However, until Thursday, about 128 litres of water had been pumped out, and the water level inside the cave comparatively has decreased to a certain amount. The rescue team are determined to get more of that water out so that the young ones can walk or maybe do a little diving to the entrance.

On the other hand, the rescuers are also looking for alternatives. If in any case, the current strives to control the water level fails, the Sky News has reported that they will have to “put those full face masks on and go through,” which the spectators suggested could be extremely difficult.

The soccer team identifies themselves as Moo Pa or Wild Boar. Such extended rescue operation shook the nation, and the well wishers are expressing their concern and pray for their safe return. An international search effort has been initiated, and the Thai navy SEAL is in charge with the held of dive experts from Britain, America, Australia and Asia. In the last few days, 40 per cent of water has been extracted from the cave. The boys are currently being taken care of by seven members of Thai SEAL including medical experts.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 05, 2018 05:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).