Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Gas leak causes panic

TIRUCHI: A gas leak was reported from an anhydrous ammonia storage plant at Sannasipatti in the outskirts of the city, giving some anxious time to the district administration and Fire and Rescue Service on Sunday.

The leak had occurred when a tanker lorry was transferring the gas to the storage tank at the private unit at around 7.30 in the morning. Workers at the plant, after making an unsuccessful attempt to plug the leak, panicked and escaped from the spot unable to stand the pungent odour, smarting of eyes and breathing difficulty.

On being alerted, Fire tenders from Tiruchi, Srirangam and Lalgudi fire stations rushed to the spot and sprayed water to dilute the ammonia, which is used for refrigeration and manufacture of fertilizers.

Fire service personnel, wearing gas masks, managed to close the valve of the tanker lorry to arrest the leak. Fire service sources indicated that about four tonnes of ammonia could have escaped into the atmosphere. Trees and plants in the storage unit presented a burnt look due to the leak. Officials of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board also visited the spot. Transport Minister K.N. Nehru, MP L.Ganesan, the Srirangam MLA M. Paranjothi and the District Revenue Officer A. Nambirajan visited the spot. Mr.Nehru said the leak had been plugged fully and there was no cause for concern.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Mettur level
Panchayats’ merger proposal opposed
25 million saplings to be planted
700 sit for engineering entrance model exam
Belgians fascinated by Bharathanatyam
Reformed bootleggers get alternative livelihood means
Gas leak causes panic
4,860 acres handed over to 3,700 landless farmers
Rs. 23-lakh net profit for bank
Congress urged to gel well with INTUC
Tiruchi Today

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu