New Delhi:
In the remote Dima Hasao district of Assam, a devastating coal mine flooding has highlighted the perilous consequences of illegal mining practices, trapping at least nine miners and prompting a massive joint rescue operation. The incident, which occurred on January 6, 2025, when water suddenly flooded the ‘3 Kilo’ mine in Umrangso, has underscored the perils faced by workers in such unregulated mining operations.
A joint effort involving the Indian Army, Navy, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is underway to rescue the trapped miners. On January 8, 2025, a significant milestone was achieved when 21 Para Divers recovered the body of one of the trapped workers from the bottom of the mine’s well, approximately 85 feet below the surface.
The mine, which is about 340 feet deep, saw water levels rise to nearly 100 feet, complicating the rescue efforts. The trapped miners, identified as Ganga Bahadur Shreth, Hussain Ali, Jakir Hussain, Sarpa Barman, Mustafa Seikh, Khushi Mohan Rai, Sanjit Sarkar, Lijan Magar, and Sarat Goyary, are feared to be in a precarious situation.
Divers from Visakhapatnam were flown in to conduct the rescue operation, and dewatering pumps from SDRF and ONGC are being deployed to reduce the water level inside the mine. The SDRF’s dewatering pumps have departed from Umrangshu, while the ONGC dewatering pump is awaiting weather clearance to be deployed via an MI-17 helicopter from Kumbhigram.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has confirmed that the mine appears to be illegal and has announced the arrest of one person, Punish Nunisa, in connection with the incident. The police have registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to investigate the incident.
The ongoing rescue operation is a testament to the collaborative efforts of various agencies, but it also underscores the frequent and hazardous conditions in illegal rat-hole coal mines common in India’s northeastern regions. As the rescue teams continue their round-the-clock efforts, the hopes for the safe recovery of the remaining trapped miners remain a pressing concern.
