Ramgarh, April 23: A massive fire erupted in a closed coal mine in Jharkhand’s Rajrappa area on Monday, sending thick, toxic smoke billowing over nearby villages and sparking panic among residents, local officials and villagers said.
The fire, which broke out in Ramgarh district’s Chitarpur block, is now within 500 meters of Bhuchungdih village, home to nearly 10,000 people. Residents fear for their health and safety amid fears of potential evacuation.
“The fire is now only 500 meters away from the village… it was reported earlier, but no one took any action,” said Jeevan Mahato, a resident of Bhuchungdih. Another local, Raju Mahato, warned that residents may be forced to flee if the situation worsens.
According to villagers, signs of underground fire were visible days before the outbreak but were allegedly ignored by Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and the district administration.
Authorities have since scrambled to respond. Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Chandan Kumar confirmed that a team had been dispatched to tackle the blaze. “Efforts are being made to control the fire on a war footing,” Kumar said, adding that CCL mining experts were advising on containment strategies to stop the fire from reaching residential zones.
CCL officials said initial measures involved covering the fire with soil and sand. “If it is not controlled by this, then we will take another measure,” said Kalyanji Prasad, General Manager of CCL for the Rajrappa area.
Environmental and health experts have expressed concern over the long-term impact of the toxic smoke, which may significantly affect air quality in the region.
As of now, no casualties have been reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
