Dispur:
Eight workers are trapped in a 300 feet deep coal mine in Umrangso in Dima Hasao district of North-East state Assam for 3 days. On January 6, a total of 9 laborers were trapped there due to sudden filling of water during excavation. Teams of Indian Army, Indian Navy and Air Force are engaged in the rescue operation. On Wednesday, the rescue team also recovered the body of a labourer. NDTV is the first TV channel to reach this mine. Our reporter Ratnadeep Chaudhary is continuously giving updates of the rescue operation from ground zero.
Let us know how NDTV reached the 300 feet deep coal mine in Umrangso and how the rescue operation is going on:-
How did NDTV reach ground zero?
NDTV’s access to the coal mines in Hasao district was difficult. Our reporter Ratnadeep Choudhary first traveled for 5 hours and reached Umrangso. Had to walk on hilly roads for 3 hours. Somewhere a rough road was found, somewhere it got lost. His car hesitated and reached the place of eating late at night. On Wednesday he had to take help of another vehicle.
The Air Force has airlifted the necessary machinery for the rescue operation.
‘Operation in the dark’
In fact, the rescue operation for the workers trapped in the coal mine of Assam is like an ‘operation in the dark’ for the Indian Armed Forces. Navy’s best divers i.e. deep sea divers have been deployed for the rescue operation. Army Special Forces experts are also present. Whereas the Air Force team is airlifting the best machinery from across the country and giving it to the rescue team.
Water enters Assam’s “Rat Hole” mine, many workers feared trapped
Water filled up to 30 meters in the mine
However, the rescue operation remains a big challenge. There is darkness in the 300 feet deep mine. There is water up to 30 meters deep. Many efforts were made to remove water for the last 3 days. Still the water level did not decrease. Even on Thursday, two motors have been installed to remove water.
The workers got trapped while extracting coal on January 6.
Big challenge for divers
Searching for laborers inside the mine is also a big challenge for divers. Because there is zero visibility inside.
The mine water is completely acetic (acidic) and muddy. The water is so dirty that there is no scope for operating the Navy’s robotic equipment like TOV in it.
9 laborers trapped in coal mine in Assam, rescue operation continues, army also engaged in rescue work.
The best divers of the Navy have been deployed for the rescue operation.
Rescue team does not have the layout of the mine
One problem facing the rescue operation is that the team does not have any layout of the mine. That means the rescue team does not know where the dangerous stones are or which part of the water is the deepest and poisonous. There is no information about rat holes either.
no sound coming from inside
Besides this, there is no way to contact the people trapped inside the mine. There is no sound coming from inside so that it can be known whether they are alive or not. No certainty has been given as to how much time it will take to remove water from the mine.
7.1 magnitude earthquake in Tibet, 95 people died, tremors felt from Bihar to Bengal in India
ROV was also lowered into the mine. But no sound was recorded.
On Wednesday, the Navy’s ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) was sent inside the mine. ROV can click photos of location and is equipped with sonar rays. However, it was so dark that nothing could be seen in the ROV.
Coal India and ONGC pumps were ordered
At present, Army and Navy drones and underwater equipment have been deployed to rescue the workers trapped in the mine. Powerful pumps from Coal India and ONGC are being procured.
Water level rises 100 feet in Assam’s coal mine, 9 workers still trapped
Teams of NDRF and SDRF have also been deployed in the rescue operation.
NDRF, SDRF and Assam Rifles are helping
NDRF and SDRF teams are also helping. Engineers Task Force is also present along with divers and medical team of Assam Rifles.
What do NDRF inspectors say?
NDRF Inspector Roshan Kumar Chand said, “The vertical area has been searched. Pumping has been done continuously. Still the water level has not reduced. That is why the rescue operation is getting delayed. We ordered a new heavy pumping machine from Maharashtra.” It will be airlifted soon.”
Army’s mission Zindagi continues in Assam, rescue team finds another body in the mine, 6 are still trapped
Heavy machines have been brought from Maharashtra to remove water from the mine.
What happened when?
– This is the mine of rat miners in Umrangso of Dima Hasao district. On January 6, 9 workers were extracting coal in a 300 feet deep mine. Meanwhile, water started filling in it and the workers got trapped.
-On January 7, the Indian Army arrived for rescue. Navy team also arrived. Its divers went inside the mine.
-The next day on January 8, the body of a laborer was taken out. During the rescue operation, the Navy’s ROV i.e. Remotely Operated Vehicle also failed.
-The rescue operation has started again on 9 January. Right now water is being drained from the motor. Then manual search operation will take place.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday the police arrested the mine owner Puneesh Nunisa.
