Fire Services, NDRF act to contain ONGC well blowout in Konaseema

The A.P. State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department is taking measures to reduce temperatures near Irusumanda village, where a blowout occurred at an ONGC well in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district on Monday.

Fire Services in-charge Director General P. Venkata Ramana said fire personnel from the region rushed to the spot and were assisting the ONGC teams. “We are monitoring the situation along with the Crisis Management Teams, Revenue, Police and other departments, and are taking necessary control measures at the site,” Mr. Venkata Ramana told The Hindu.

Fire Services Regional Fire Officer for Zone-2, E. Swamy, said steps were being taken to prevent cloud formation due to the high flames at the ONGC well. “Nitrogen tankers and coolants are being used to reduce temperature levels at Irusumanda and nearby villages in Malkipuram mandal,” he said.

The RFO appealed to villagers not to light firewood stoves, gas stoves, cigarettes or operate electrical appliances near the Mori-5 well, from where the blowout occurred.

National Disaster Response Force 10th Battalion Commandant V. V. N. Prasanna Kumar said the district authorities had alerted the NDRF following the ONGC blowout. “We are coordinating with the disaster management authorities, rescue teams and district officials in carrying out response operations,” he said.