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Jharia, located in the Indian state of Jharkhand, is famously known as the “Burning City of India” due to underground coal fires that have been raging for more than a century. These long-lasting fires have led to severe environmental damage, air pollution, land subsidence, and serious health hazards for local residents.

Where is Jharia Located?

Jharia is a small town situated in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand. The region is rich in high-quality coal, which is widely used in industries such as steel production. Because of these valuable coal reserves, mining activity has continued here for many decades.

Why is Jharia Called the Burning City?

The town earned its name because of persistent underground coal fires that began over a hundred years ago and continue even today. These fires occur when exposed coal comes into contact with oxygen through cracks or openings in the ground. This process, known as self-heating, causes the coal to ignite and burn slowly beneath the surface, making the fire extremely difficult to control.

How Did the Fires Start?

The origin of the fires is traced back to poorly managed coal mining practices in the early 20th century, particularly around 1916. Abandoned mines were not properly sealed, leaving gaps that allowed air to enter. This triggered coal combustion underground. Over time, continuous mining without adequate safety measures allowed the fires to spread further.

Impact of the Jharia Coal Fires

• Toxic Air Pollution: The fires release harmful gases such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, making the air unsafe to breathe.

• Land Subsidence: Burning coal creates empty underground spaces, causing the ground above to collapse suddenly, damaging houses, roads, and infrastructure.

• Health Issues: Residents frequently suffer from respiratory illnesses, eye irritation, and skin problems due to prolonged exposure to pollution.

• Displacement of People: Many families have been forced to relocate as their homes become unsafe due to ground instability.

Efforts to Control the Fires

Authorities, along with organizations like Coal India Limited, have taken several steps to manage the situation, including:

• Sealing cracks in the ground to reduce oxygen supply

• Injecting gases like nitrogen to suppress combustion

• Extracting burning coal from affected zones

Despite these efforts, the fires are extremely deep and widespread, making complete extinguishment very challenging.

Current Situation

Even today, multiple fire zones remain active in Jharia. As a result, the focus has largely shifted from extinguishing the fires to relocating affected residents to safer areas.

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