Rescue personnel on Tuesday began pumping out water from the flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district where many miners are feared dead after remaining trapped since December 13.
The day also saw the district authorities release an official list of 15 trapped miners, though one of the five who survived, claimed that there were 17 inside the 350 ft. deep mine.
R. Susngi, spokesperson for the district administration, said the Odisha Fire Service personnel pumped out water from an old shaft near the main shaft the trapped miners had used to descend.
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“After three hours of pumping, the water level in the old shaft was found to have gone down by up to six inches ,” he said.
The Odisha Fire Service will continue dewatering on Wednesday.
The multiple rescue agencies expect to determine the water level after eight hours of pumping.
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The dewatering process had begun following the procurement of cable, box and accessories by the district authorities and the installation of pumps inside the pit.
Midway through Tuesday’s operation, the East Jaintia Hills district authorities released the names of 15 trapped miners. Officials said they took time to verify the number, earlier believed to be 13.
Names identified
They are Omor Ali, Mezamur Islam, Mominul Islam, Shirapat Ali, Mozid SK, Raziul Islam, Abdul Kalam (all from West Garo Hills of Meghalaya), Shalabas Dkhar, Long Dkhar, Nilam Dkhar (all from East Jaintia Hills), Amir Hussain, Monirul Islam, Chaher Islam, Md Samsul Haque, and Assh Bahadur Limbu (all from Assam).
The NDRF, the State Disaster Response Force and the district police had launched the rescue operation soon after the mishap was reported on December 13. But they gave up less than a fortnight later.
Widespread criticism
Widespread criticism of a “shoddy operation” made the Meghalaya government seek assistance from other agencies, which began moving men and machines, including high-power pumps and underwater remotely operated vehicle, to the spot by December 29.