Dewatering continues in Assam mine as rescue operation enters day 10

As efforts to rescue the trapped miners from the illegal rat-hole mine in Tin Kilo, Umrangso in Assam has entered its 10th day, the Geological Survey of India is probing whether there is any fresh water seeping into the mine from a river nearby as the water-level has not fallen below 1 ft, despite pumps working hard to drain it.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that despite 48 hours of continuous pumping, the water level hasn't drop below 1 ft, which is hindering the progress of the rescue operation. He indicated that the nearby Kapili River might be complicating the dewatering process.

"At least 18 pumps are engaged in dewatering; however everyday only one feet of water is getting reduced. There is an assumption that there is some water source there and fresh water is coming inside. Earlier, it was seen that the colour of water is blackish but now clear water is coming out. Dewatering is a challenging task and there is about 60 to 70 feet of water inside," he said.