Daijiworld Media Network – Ranchi

Ranchi, Apr 24: More than 21 houses caved in at Tandabari settlement in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad district following land subsidence linked to alleged underground coal mining activity, triggering panic among residents and forcing evacuation of families.

The incident occurred around 9 pm on Thursday under the Sonardih OP area, with houses reportedly sinking 15 to 20 feet into the ground after a loud sound shook the locality.

Officials said four people were injured in the incident, with one reported to be in critical condition and undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dhanbad.

Residents said they rushed out of their homes moments after hearing the sound, narrowly escaping tragedy.

Following the incident, district administration officials and Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) personnel reached the site and began relocating affected families.

Authorities said 27 families were being shifted immediately to flats in Belgaria, while arrangements would be made for others willing to relocate.

Officials acknowledged the area had become highly unsafe and required urgent evacuation.

Angry villagers blamed years of coal mining operations for weakening the ground and alleged repeated warnings had gone unheeded despite earlier incidents of subsidence.

Residents staged a protest by blocking the Chas-Rajganj four-lane road, disrupting traffic and demanding permanent rehabilitation.

Locals said a previous subsidence incident on March 31 had claimed three lives, while another occurred on April 22, raising concerns over continued inaction.

Villagers have urged the administration and BCCL to provide a long-term solution and ensure secure rehabilitation for all affected families.