Evacuation After Sump Tank Collapse in Chhattisgarh's Iron Ore Mining Area

Nearly 40 families were evacuated after a wall of a sump tank in an iron ore mining area collapsed in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district. Two children were rescued from the floods caused by the incident. The district administration has provided relief and the situation is under control.

Nearly 40 families were evacuated after a sump tank wall collapsed in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, flooding low-lying areas of Kirandul town, officials reported.

Two children were rescued after being trapped in the floodwaters following the breach of the tank wall built on a hill amid intermittent rainfall, they said. The incident occurred around 3.30 pm in the iron ore mine deposit No. 11 C of the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) on Bailadila hills in Kirandul, according to a district administration official.

The eastern side wall of the NMDC sump tank, which is 70 meters long, 70 meters wide, and 2.5 meters deep, collapsed, causing a sudden flood-like situation in Kirandul, the official stated.

Upon alert, the district administration launched a rescue operation, they added.

Residents of at least 40 houses were relocated to safety, and two children trapped in the floods were rescued and taken to a local hospital, the official noted.

Those evacuated have been provided shelter at the Mangal Bhavan relief camp, where food has been arranged by the district administration. The situation is currently under control, they added.

Damage to some houses has been reported, with details to be confirmed after a survey on Monday, according to the official.

Prima facie, heavy rainfall over the past five to six days seems to have caused the tank wall to collapse, but the exact cause will be determined after examination. Efforts are underway to repair the damaged wall, they added.

(With inputs from agencies.)