The Indian Air Force has joined the rescue operations to evacuate 15 trapped miners at Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district from the last two weeks.
On Friday, an Indian Air Force plane carrying high-power pumps and NDRF personnel took off from Odisha to join the rescue effort.
Also on board the aircraft is the Odisha Fire Services team.
The Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules plane will land in Guwahati, from where the powerful pumps will be taken to Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills, reports The Indian Express.
A total of 15 miners—mostly poor labourers from Assam and Meghalaya have been trapped inside the Ksan coal mine East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya since December 13.
Although the SDRF, NDRF and local authorities have been trying hard to rescue the miners, it is yet to make any headway due to high water level in the mine.
The Indian Air Force decided to join the rescue efforts after the National Disaster Management Authority requested help to airlift the rescuers.
The Indian Air Force decided to join the rescue efforts after the National Disaster Management Authority requested help to airlift the rescuers. Director General of Fire Services B K Sharma said a 20-member team led by chief fire officer Sukanta Sethi left for Shillong in a special Indian Air Force aircraft with equipment, including high-power pumps. “They will assist local authorities in the rescue of the trapped coal miners,” he said.
The team is carrying at least 20 high-power pumps, apart from other high-tech equipment and gadgets. Each pump is capable of flushing out 1,600-litre water per minute. The team will first study and analyse the situation at the site before working out plans for the search and rescue mission, the official said.