Heavy Rains Disrupt Coal Production at SCCL Mines

Heavy rainfall over the past five days has led to a significant disruption in coal production at several opencast mines operated by the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). The incessant rains have caused rainwater to flood the opencast mines located in Srirampur, Mandamarri, and Khairiguda in the Mancherial and Komaram Bheem districts, halting operations entirely.

The SCCL, which typically produces 1.74 lakh tonnes of coal per day, has seen a substantial impact on its output, with an estimated 100,000 tonnes of daily production affected across 22 opencast mines. Approximately 30,000 tonnes of coal production from five specific opencast mines in the Srirampur, Mandamarri, and Bellampalli divisions have been halted during this period.

Operational Challenges Amid Severe Weather

The continuous rainfall has made conditions particularly challenging in the coal-rich areas of the erstwhile Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, and Khammam districts. The flooding has rendered heavy vehicles used for coal transportation inoperable, bringing operations to a standstill. Additionally, the removal of overburden (OB), a critical step in the coal extraction process, has also been temporarily suspended.

Despite these disruptions in opencast mining operations, underground mining activities in the North Telangana districts have continued without interruption. This resilience in underground operations is vital as SCCL looks to mitigate the overall impact of the weather-induced disruptions.

Future Measures and Production Recovery

In response to the production losses, SCCL management is expected to implement special measures aimed at boosting output in the coming days. The company recognizes the urgency of restoring coal production levels to meet demand and offset the significant losses incurred during this period of heavy rainfall.

SCCL’s proactive approach will be crucial as it navigates the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions. With the coal industry being a key player in the region’s economy, swift recovery efforts will be essential to maintain operational stability and ensure continued supply in the market.