Lumthari Coal Mine Tragedy: Coal India Limited Pumping out Water

A Correspondent

Shillong: The Coal India Limited on Monday has started pumping from an old shaft near the illegal coal mine where 15 miners are trapped since December 13. According to spokesperson of the rescue operation R Susngi, the pumping started at around 3:30 pm and is still going on till filing of this report. “Till now the approximate quantity of water that was pumped in two hours is 2,26,800 liters,” Susngi informed. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy divers have lowered the underwater remotely operating vehicle (UWROV) into the flooded coal mine where the miners are trapped even as the spokesperson informed that the work is in progress.

Susngi also informed that authorities of Kirloskar Brothers Limited have been able to repair their pump and are now functional. “We hope that tomorrow reinstallation will be completed,” Susngi said.

It may be mentioned on Sunday, rescue operations hit a roadblock as two high-powered pumps engaged in dewatering the mines encountered technical glitches. The high-powered pumps of Kirloskar Brothers Ltd were recently pressed into action to dewater the main shaft, where the miners are trapped.

Another submersible pump from Coal India Ltd (CIL) also faced a snag, affecting dewatering operations in the nearby abandoned mines.

The spokesperson of the rescue operation also informed that the Odisha Fire Service has reported on Monday that they stop pumping water from the two old shafts at 5:30 pm. “Both the pumps were run for ten hours each on Monday and the total water discharge pumped out today is 180000 liters,” Susngi informed.

Also Read: Lumthari coal mines tragedy: Despite obstacles high-pressure pumps get started