Desperate Race Against Time: Anxiety Escalates as Water Level Rises in Assam Coal Mine Trapping Workers

An official announced that, in addition to Navy divers and various rescue teams, two water pumping machines have been brought in to help remove the excess water.

An official has reported that alongside Navy divers, additional rescue teams are actively engaged in the operation, utilizing two water pumping machines aimed at expelling water from the site.

Concerns are escalating regarding the rescue mission for nine laborers stranded within a coal mine located in the Dima Hasao district of Assam. The water level inside the mine has surged to nearly 100 feet, intensifying the urgency of the situation.

Navy divers have been deployed from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to support the collaborative efforts of the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, and the National and State Disaster Response Forces (NDRF and SDRF), alongside local authorities. Unfortunately, no progress has been made in rescuing any workers from the mine as of yet.

A dedicated relief task force has also been organized to assist with the rescue operations in Umrangso. This specialized team includes divers, engineers, and other trained professionals equipped with essential tools for the mission, as noted by a defense official in statements reported by news agency ANI.

In a proactive move, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has communicated with Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy to request further assistance in the ongoing rescue efforts. He expressed his appreciation for the minister's prompt action, as Reddy instructed Coal India Limited to provide comprehensive support to the Assam government in this critical matter.

Furthermore, Chief Minister Sarma extended his gratitude to the military for their rapid response, emphasizing that all available measures are being taken to secure the safe return of the miners.

The recent influx of water into the Assam Coal Quarry has trapped nine laborers since Monday, creating a dire scenario in the vicinity of the three-kilometer area in Umrangso. As of now, though reports indicated that approximately 15 individuals might have been inside the mine during the incident, the confirmed count remains at nine. Assam Minister Kaushik Rai acknowledged the possibility of additional workers being present but reiterated that only nine are currently confirmed as trapped.

The nine laborers trapped in the mine 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.

In conjunction with these developments, Chief Minister Sarma has announced that an arrest has been made in connection with the incident, which appears to involve unlawful mining activities. He stated that an FIR has been lodged under Umrangso PS Case No: 02/2025, invoking relevant sections of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 1957 to facilitate an in-depth investigation. It seems that the mining operation in question was not authorized, and an individual named Punish Nunisa has been taken into custody regarding this matter.

As the minutes pass, the tension surrounding the rescue efforts continues to mount, with teams working tirelessly in Assam to bring a resolution to this distressing situation.