Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) has set up control rooms in all its 12 mining areas in Dhanbad to keep a close watch on 45 collieries and take emergency action in case of inundation and power failure triggered by cyclone Fani.

The Coal India subsidiary has also established a central control room at its headquarters in Koyla Bhavan.

BCCL general manager (safety) R.B. Kumar said the control rooms were made operational on Thursday and officials had been instructed to track the water level in the surrounding areas of all mines and evacuate people from underground mines if they perceived a threat of inundation.

“The biggest risks in mines during a cyclone are power failure and electrocution due to lightning. We have directed the switchmen to use special jackets while operating switches to avoid getting electrocuted. We have also asked colliery officials and area level officers to take special care with regard to power failure, which might lead to trapping of miners in underground mines. We have asked officials to send workers in underground mines only if it had a dual power back-up for operation of cages to bring them out,” Kumar said.

Miners in open cast mines have been instructed to stay away from high walls that may cave in during heavy rain.

The Dhanbad and Bokaro administrations have also issued advisories in their respective districts.

District disaster management officer of Dhanbad Sanjay Kumar said all government schools would stay shut on May 3 and 4.

“We have also issued advisories for common people. They include turning off the main power switch during cyclone and keeping the windows and doors closed. People should not take shelter in damaged buildings during the storm,” Kumar added.

Bokaro district disaster management officer Shakti Kumar said all the BDOs and circle officers had been directed to stay alert and provide relief to people if disaster struck.

“We have asked schools to remain closed on May 4 because heavy rain is expected from Friday evening,” he added.