Guwahati, Jan 7: Rescue efforts are underway at the Umrongso coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, where more than 10 miners remain trapped after a catastrophic flooding incident on Monday morning.
Indian Army deep divers, along with the Engineers Task Force and medical teams, are leading the operation. Navy divers from the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam are en route to assist, as water levels inside the mine have risen to approximately 100 feet.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), including 30 NDRF personnel and eight SDRF teams, are stationed at the site. Additionally, an Assam Police Radio Organisation (APRO) team is heading to the area to establish communication with the District Emergency Operations Center (DEOC).
Local reports indicate that 27 miners were initially trapped, of whom 10 managed to escape. Between 13 and 17 miners remain unaccounted for, with three bodies spotted from the surface but yet to be recovered due to high water levels and logistical challenges.
The trapped miners, aged 26 to 57, include individuals from Assam, West Bengal, and Nepal. Among those identified 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).
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that Navy divers have been requisitioned to join the operation, expressing concern over the escalating water levels. The Indian Army is coordinating closely with civil authorities to expedite the rescue.
The flooding occurred at coal mine No. 19 in Tin Kilo under Umrangso police station early Monday. Recovery efforts are being hampered by high water levels and the complexity of the flooded underground passages, posing significant risks to rescuers.
As rescue operations intensify with the arrival of Navy divers, authorities remain hopeful but acknowledge the formidable challenges posed by the hazardous conditions. Further updates are awaited as the situation unfolds.
