​​​​​​​Angul, Jan 28: Panic gripped the locals of Talcher Town on Wednesday as a large patch of ground caved in near the Handidhua area all of a sudden.

The land deformation on the spot caused a deep trench with cracks and fissures, wreaking concern for the denizens living around.

According to reports, locals of Hanidhua area in the Talcher Town noticed an abnormal sound in the evening while a large patch of land caved in following which a deep trench was formed in the ground all of sudden.

On being informed mines authorities and Police rushed to the spot and protected the area with fence and slabs, in order to prevent accident.

The precise reason behind the incident is yet unclear. However, excessive underground coal mining activities and shabby vacuum management are feared to be the key factors behind the subsidence.