Guwahati: Rescue efforts at the waterlogged rat-hole coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district remain fraught with challenges as persistently high water levels hinder progress. Suspicions are mounting that the flooding may be linked to the nearby Kopili River, adding complexity to the ongoing dewatering operations. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has initiated a detailed study to determine the cause of the flooding as the search enters its tenth day.
The mine was flooded on January 6, trapping nine workers inside. So far, four bodies have been recovered, while five individuals remain unlocated. Despite round-the-clock dewatering efforts, the water level has only dropped marginally, with less than a foot decrease observed over 36-48 hours. This slow progress has raised concerns that the mine may have a direct connection to the Kopili River, significantly impacting the pace of rescue operations.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged the challenges posed by the suspected link to the river, emphasizing that the GSI’s findings would be critical in deciding the next steps. He stated that all possible measures were being explored to continue the dewatering process, but a comprehensive review might be necessary in the coming days.
A multi-agency rescue team, including the Indian Army, Indian Navy, NDRF, SDRF, and Coal India Limited, is working tirelessly to locate the missing miners. Despite their coordinated efforts, the presence of murky water and slow drainage remains a major obstacle. Assam Minister Kaushik Rai confirmed that every available resource is being utilized to ensure the success of the rescue mission.
The first body recovered on January 8 was identified as Ganga Bahadur Shreth, a worker from Nepal. Three more bodies were retrieved on January 11, identified as Lijen Magar, 27, from Umrangso; Khusi Mohan Rai, 57, from Kokrajhar; and Sarat Goyary, 37, from Sonitpur. The identities of the five missing workers remain unknown as authorities continue their exhaustive search operations.
While hope persists, the arduous nature of the mission underscores the urgency of resolving the flooding issue. As rescue teams press on with their efforts, the focus remains on locating the missing workers and addressing the suspected connection to the Kopili River to prevent future incidents.
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