Memories of Bhopal gas tragedy triggered on Thursday when a chemical gas leak at an LG Polymers plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh eventuated. The gas leak has killed several people and put hundreds in the hospital with breathing difficulties. Chilling images have emerged showing victims lying motionless on the ground in the wake of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “closely monitoring” the situation in Visakhapatnam and had spoken to officials in the Home Ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). PM Modi also held a meeting of the NDMA to take stock of the situation.
The situation is now under control.
AIIMS report
The chances of the long term impact of chemical gas are less on the human body. The compound leaves the body after some time.
“It is an acute exposure not chronic in nature,” said AIIMS
NDRF stated
The intensity of the chemical gas leak has fallen in time. The chemical gas which got leak is styrene gas. The styrene gas is heavier than air and comes down on spraying of water, which has been done. The impact has come down. The amount of gas leaked is a matter of investigation. The intensity has come down and the impact remains for seven to eight hours.
CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy visits the hospital
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy meets those hospitalized at King George hospital.
Neutralization process
Ashwani Kumar, Secretary to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani informed that 500 kg of Para-tertiary butyl catechol (PTBC) chemical will be airlifted from Daman by Andhra Pradesh govt for neutralizing the gas leakage in Visakhapatnam plant.
Styrene gas high exposure can lead to coma
Styrene gas damages the central nervous system, throat, skin, eyes, and some other parts of the body. It is highly flammable and releases a poisonous gas when burnt. The All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) said that the gas is an alkaline benzene compound which leads to nauseousness upon exposure, it affects brain functions. In high exposure, it can lead to a coma.
Yediyurappa asks industries in Karnataka to take precautions
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday asked managements restarting their industries in Karnataka after two months have to take this as a lesson of caution. “I appeal that production is started after ensuring all safety precautionary measures,” the Chief Minister said.
Gas leak disrupts train services
The gas leak from a chemical factory in Visakhapatnam on Thursday cluttered the movement of around 45 trains. This includes nine Shramik Specials and the rest goods carriers. As rail workers suffering from irritation in their eyes and breathlessness halted work. Train services came to a halt at the Simhachalam North Railway Station (SCMN) in Visakhapatnam, near the chemical factory.
AP CM announced Ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore to be given to the families of the deceased
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore each to be given to the families of the deceased in the Vizag gas leakage incident. Ex gratia of Rs 10 lakhs to be given to those on the ventilator.
The expert’s team is flying in from Pune
A team with expertise in Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear accidents is flying in from Pune. To help the medical practitioners in the area specialized medical support is being mobilized to deal with the situation.
A glitch in the refrigeration unit led to a gas leak
A technical glitch in the refrigeration unit attached to the two styrene tanks at a chemical plant near here caused the vapour leak a senior district official said quoting a preliminary report. “Styrene monomer is normally in a liquid state and is safe below a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. But, because of the malfunctioning of the refrigeration unit, the chemical started gasifying,” he said, quoting the preliminary report submitted by the Factories Department.
The Vizag gas leak leaves behind the horrific experience but now the situation is under control.
Also Read – https://www.naagriknews.com/environment/poisonous-gas-leaks-in-visakhapatnam-chemical-plant/
