Land subsidence in Kenduadih, cracks appear in three houses

Dhanbad: Panic-stricken families of Godhar area in Kusunda under Kenduadih police station limits fled their homes late on Monday after a land subsidence damaged three houses and left locals terrified.

At around 4 pm, the ground near Hawa Chaanak behind Godhar sub-station caved-in with a loud explosion, creating a crater. Soon after, cracks appeared in at least three nearby houses, triggering chaos in the locality.

More than 250 families live in Godhar and its adjoining areas.

People living nearby said they first heard a deafening noise before the land beneath their feet began sinking rapidly.

The situation turned more alarming when poisonous gas was reportedly seen leaking from the affected spot. Frightened families rushed out of their homes and began shifting household belongings to safer places.

Pramod Pandey, the officer-in-charge of Kenduadih police station, inspected the area. However, villagers alleged that neither district administration officials nor the management of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) arrived immediately after the incident.

“BCCL should take the responsibility of rehabilitation and employment,” Shivanandan Paswan, a local, said. However, BCCL did not comment on the incident till late on Monday.