The Indian Army has initiated a major rescue effort in response to a coal mine flooding situation in Umrangso, Assam, in which at least nine miners have been trapped. This operation is part of the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) effort that began on January 6, 2025, in response to a request from the Assam State Administration.
The Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force (ETF) has been despatched to help with the rescue operations. To address the problems faced by the flooded mine, the ETF is equipped with specialised instruments and assisted by PARA diving professionals.
The first reaction team from the 32 Assam Rifles Pathfinder Unit arrived at the scene early on January 7 to perform an initial assessment and coordinate with local authorities.
The operation is being carried out in close coordination with civil authorities, such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force. These teams are working together to find and rescue the trapped miners.
Flooding struck suddenly, hindering rescue attempts owing to the mine’s isolated location and lack of infrastructure. According to initial accounts, 15 to 20 miners were inside when the disaster occurred, but nine have now been verified trapped.
As of January 7, rescue activities are still underway, with divers and engineers working hard to reach the trapped persons. Efforts include installing water pumping machinery to drain surplus water from the mine. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma thanked the Army for their fast reaction and is
The community is hoping for a quick conclusion as rescue crews work under difficult conditions.
