(Shillong, Jan 13,2019):The fate of the 15 miners trapped in an illegal coal mine for one month now in Meghalaya''s East Jaintia Hills district remains uncertain even as the rescuers are continuing to dewater the flooded mine so as to evacuate the trapped miners. A team of hydrologist from Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Chennai-based Remotely Operatated Vehicle (ROV) has arrived on Sunday to give their expertise and suggestions on their rescue operations.
Pune-based KSB has also arrived at the site and work is in progress to instal another high power pump at the site. More than 200 rescuers that include the Indian Navy, National Disaster Response Force, Odisha Fire Services, Coal India Limited, Kirloskar Brothers Limited have been deployed in the rescue operations.
The mining accident which occurred at Ksan village on December 13 after water gushed in one of the rat-hole coal mines when the miners were extracting coal. The incident came to light when five of the coal miners, who managed to escape from the tragic accident alerted the people.
The government has roped in Amritsar-based mining experts Jaswant Singh Gill and several others to rescue the trapped miners. ?There is no significant change or receding of water level inspite of several lakh of litres pumped out,? East Jaintia Hills district, Deputy Commissioner, F.M.Dopth said.
The Supreme Court which is monitoring the rescue efforts has directed the government that they should bring out the miners whether dead or alive out of the mine.
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