Lakhunpur Coal Mines

Yousuf Sarfaraz

Photographer based in London

In the heart of Odisha's Ib Valley coalfield, the Lakhanpur Coal Mines operate undeterred by the relentless rain brought by Cyclone Michaung. The scene is a stark juxtaposition of man versus nature, where the industrial might of the mines clashes with the tumultuous elements. Managed by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of  Coal India, the mine's sprawling expanse is a testament to human perseverance and engineering. Here, amidst the driving rain, workers navigate the slick, muddy terrain, their silhouettes blurred against the backdrop of massive machinery. The mine, with its colossal annual yield of 22.5 million tonnes, pulses with an unyielding rhythm, embodying the raw, unrelenting force of industry that thrives despite the chaos wrought by nature.