By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday morning to take stock of the steps being taken in response to the Vishakhapatnam gas leak incident. He discussed at length the measures being taken for the safety of the affected people as well as for securing the site affected by the disaster. The meeting was attended by Shri Rajnath Singh, Defense Minister, Amit Shah, Home Minister,Ministers of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai and G. Kishan Reddy,besides other senior officers.
On receiving the first information about the incident today morning, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister talked with CM, Andhra Pradesh and assured all required aid and assistance from the Centre to tackle the situation. They are monitoring the situation closely and continuously.
Immediately after this meeting, Cabinet Secretary took a detailed review meeting along with the Secretaries of the Ministries of Home Affairs, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chemicalsand Petrochemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Information and Broadcasting; Members of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Director General (DG), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF); Director General of Health Services (DGHS) and Director AIIMS, and other medical experts; to chart out specific steps to support the management of the situation on the ground. Principal Secretary to Prime Minister was also present in the meeting.
It was decided that a team from CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) unit of NDRF from Pune,along with an expert team of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur would be rushed to Vishakhapatnam immediately to support the State Government in the management of the crisis on the ground, and also to take measures for resolving the short term as also long term medical impact of the leak.
The incident of Styrene gas leakage occurred in a chemical plant in the early hours today at 3 am in RR Venkatapuram village, Gopalapatnam Mandal in Visakhpatnam District. It affected the surrounding villages namely Narava, B.C Colony, Bapuji Nagar, Kampalapalem and Krishna Nagar. Styrene gas, which is toxic in nature, may cause irritation to the skin, eyes and causes respiratory problems and other medical conditions.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teamwith CBRN personnel at Vishakhapatnam was deployed immediately to support the State Government and local administration. The NDRF team carried out immediate evacuation of communities living in the immediate vicinity of the site. The specialized CBRN unit of NDRF from Pune and NEERI expert team from Nagpur, haveleft for Vishakhapatnam. Besides, DGHS will provide specialized medical advice to the medical practitioners on the ground.
The properties of the leaked compound, its impact, common symptoms among those exposed, first-aid measures,precautions, Do’s and Don’ts can be accessed here.
Meanwhile, in Odisha, expressing grief over the gas leak incident in Andhra Pradesh, which has claimed at least 10 lives and left many ill, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union PNG-Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP National VP-Spokesperson Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda were prayed for the well-being of the people in the neighbouring state.
Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Patnaik wished speedy recovery to those undergoing treatment.“Deeply saddened to know about the tragic loss of so many lives and so many fell sick in #VizagGasLeak. My thoughts and prayers are with bereaved families in the hour of grief and pray for the speedy recovery of those who are hospitalized. #Visakhapatnam,” Patnaik tweeted.
Union Minister Pradhan also voiced his concern over the incident, and said the situation was being monitored and all assistance provided. “Distressed to learn about the gas leak incident at LG Polymers industry in Vizag, Andhra Pradesh this morning. The situation is being monitored closely and all assistance is being provided. I pray for the safety and well-being of people in Vizag,” Pradhan posted on his Twitter handle.
Among others, BJP National Vice-Spokesperson and former MP Panda also conveyed his condolences to the family members of the deceased.“Very saddened at the #VizaGasLeak incident in Andhra Pradesh this morning. Prayers for the speedy recovery of those admitted in hospital. Condolences to the bereaved families,” Panda said.
At least 10 people, including a child, died and hundreds fell ill after a major gas leak at a polymer plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, early on Thursday. The gas leak impacted villages within a 5-km radius of the plant, according to officials.
