Divers struggle against floods in search of caves in Thailand

The rescue operation in a cave in northern Thailand is complicated by heavy rains flooding the complex

Divers attempting to reach 12 boys trapped in a Thai cave faced Friday's rapid floods as their desperate search for survivors entered a sixth day.

Heavy rains that hit the area complicate the huge rescue effort that sends tons of water into the complex.

Emergency workers say that the torrents have filled two chambers, blocking the road to where the young people and their football coach

The darkness in the interior from Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province is aggravated by muddy water, reducing visibility in some conditions, some lifeguards compared bathing to cold coffee.

Thailand's junta leader, Prayut Chan-O-Cha, arrived Friday in the region to console desperate families who camp outside the cave. The boys were reported missing on Saturday

The appalling search for boys, aged 11 to 16, who was suspended for several hours on Thursday was resumed when rescuers were able to drill a makeshift drain

. The governor of Chiang Rai, Narongsak Osottanakorn, told AFP:

Several water pumps were installed to evacuate water from the site and another 40 were shipped from Bangkok on Friday, he said. added.

dug the mountain to dig a hole in the roof of the cave without causing collapse.

"It's possible in theory, but it can be hard because the machine weighs two tons, so we have to find out how to lift it and where

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