Guwahati, Jan 7: The situation at the Umrongso coal mine in Dima Hasao district, Assam, is dire. Rescue operations are intensifying after more than 10 miners were trapped following a mine flooding incident on Monday morning.
Indian Army deep divers, along with the Engineers Task Force and medical teams, have joined the efforts to recover the trapped miners.
Navy deep divers are en route from Eastern Naval Command headquarters in Visakhapatnam to assist, as the water level inside the mine has risen to approximately 100 feet.
30 personnel from the 1st National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team and 8 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are stationed at the site.
An Assam Police Radio Organisation (APRO) team is on its way to establish communication with the District Emergency Operations Center (DEOC).
Local sources report that 27 miners were initially trapped, but 10 escaped. Between 13 to 17 miners remain unaccounted for.
Several names have been identified among those trapped, including miners from Assam, West Bengal, and Nepal.
Three bodies have been seen from the surface but are yet to be recovered due to high water levels and other logistical challenges.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that Navy divers were requisitioned for the rescue operation and expressed concern over the rising water levels inside the mine.
The Indian Army is coordinating efforts closely with the civil administration to expedite rescue operations.
The incident occurred at coal mine No. 19 in Tin Kilo under Umrangso police station. The flooding began early Monday morning.
The trapped miners, ranging in age from 26 to 57, include residents from Assam, West Bengal, and Nepal. They are- Ganga Bahadur Shreth (38), Nepal; Hussain Ali (30), Assam; Jakir Hussain (38), Assam; Sarpa Barman (46), Assam; Mustafa Seikh (44), Assam; Khusi Mohan Rai (57), Assam; Sanjit Sarkar (35), West Bengal; Lijan Magar (26), Assam and Sarat Goyary (37), Assam.
High water levels are hampering recovery efforts, requiring specialized deep-diving teams. The complexity of the flooded underground passages poses additional risks to rescuers.
The coordinated efforts by multiple agencies, including the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and the Navy, underscore the urgency of the situation. However, the rising water levels and hazardous conditions inside the mine make the rescue operation a formidable task.
Efforts are expected to intensify as Navy divers arrive, and further updates will follow as the operation progresses.
