Anxiety mounts as rescue operations continue for nine laborers trapped inside a flooded coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. The water level in the mine has risen to nearly 100 feet, complicating efforts by rescue teams.
Rising Water Levels Hinder Rescue Operations
The mine in Umrangso, where the incident occurred, has been flooded since Monday, leaving workers stranded. To tackle the emergency, Navy divers from Visakhapatnam joined forces with the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and disaster response teams (NDRF and SDRF).
Two water pumps have been deployed to drain the flooded mine, but no workers have been rescued so far.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Seeks Assistance
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is actively overseeing the rescue efforts. He thanked the Union Coal Minister, G Kishan Reddy, for directing Coal India Limited to assist in the operation.
“Much gratitude for this quick response. We are deploying all possible efforts to ensure the safe return of our miners,” Sarma posted on X.
Who Are the Trapped Workers?
According to quarry officials, around 15 workers were inside the mine during the incident, though official confirmation is limited to nine individuals. The trapped miners have been identified as:
- Ganga Bahadur Shreth
- Hussain Ali
- Jakir Hussain
- Sarpa Barman
- Mustafa Seikh
- Khushi Mohan Rai
- Sanjit Sarkar
- Lijan Magar
- Sarat Goyary
Legal Action Underway
The mine appears to be operating illegally, as confirmed by CM Sarma. A case has been registered under various sections of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
One person, Punish Nunisa, has been arrested in connection with the incident.
