The Assam mine rescue operation has intensified as deep-sea divers from the Indian Navy have been deployed to save nine labourers trapped in a coal mine in the Dima Hasao district. The mine was flooded on Monday evening after a sudden surge of water, causing the water level to rise to nearly 100 feet, leaving workers stranded. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are already on-site, working tirelessly alongside the Navy divers flown in from Visakhapatnam.
Rescue Teams Battle High Water Levels
Navy divers and a 30-member NDRF team, along with eight personnel from SDRF, are coordinating efforts to reach the workers trapped underground. Advanced equipment, including water pumping machines, has been brought in to reduce the water level inside the mine. Despite continuous attempts, the trapped workers have yet to be rescued.
According to an official, two diving attempts have already been made by a task force comprising divers, engineers, and medical teams from the Indian Army and Assam Rifles. Efforts to pump out water are ongoing, with operations set to continue throughout the night. Authorities have also illuminated the mine site to aid in the rescue mission.
Illegal Operation Suspected
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that the coal mine appears to have been operating illegally. A case has been registered under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and one individual, Punish Nunisa, has been arrested.
“The incident is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by unregulated mining activities,” Sarma said, emphasizing the need for stringent enforcement of mining laws.
Witness Accounts and Challenges
Eyewitnesses reported that the flooding occurred without any prior warning, trapping the miners before they could escape. Initial reports suggested that up to 15 workers were inside the mine at the time of the incident, but authorities have confirmed the names of only 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, and Sarat Goyary.
The rescue operation faces significant challenges, including the mine’s complex layout and the rising water level. Experts from the Indian Army are using specialized equipment to assess the structural integrity of the mine while ensuring the safety of rescue teams.
History of Mining Incidents in Assam
This incident is not the first of its kind in Assam, where illegal rat-hole mining has posed recurring dangers. Such operations involve workers carving narrow tunnels, often without proper safety measures, making them highly vulnerable to flooding and cave-ins. The Mines and Minerals Act has provisions to regulate mining, but enforcement remains inconsistent in remote areas like Dima Hasao.
The trapped workers’ families have gathered at the site, anxiously awaiting updates as rescue teams continue their efforts. The combined efforts of multiple agencies and advanced equipment offer hope for a positive outcome, but time remains a critical factor.
The Assam mine rescue mission highlights the urgent need to address illegal mining practices and enforce stricter safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.