Amalapuram, 5/1 : A significant gas pipeline leak at an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) operated well in Andhra Pradesh’s Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema district triggered a massive fire on Monday, causing widespread panic and prompting the evacuation of several nearby villages. The incident occurred at the Mori-5 well in Irusumanda village, Malikipuram mandal, during ongoing repair and production enhancement operations.
According to preliminary reports, no casualties or injuries have been reported in the incident. The blaze erupted around 12:30 PM after a powerful blowout released a large volume of gas mixed with crude oil, which subsequently ignited. The leak occurred in a coconut plantation located approximately half a kilometer from the nearest human habitation, with flames reportedly soaring over 100 feet into the air.
The Mori-5 well is operated by Deep Industries Ltd, an ONGC production enhancement contractor, as part of a Rs 1,402-crore contract secured in 2024 for operations at ONGC’s Rajahmundry Asset. The company has been managing the well for about a year.
Following the incident, senior ONGC officials from Rajahmundry, along with fire and police personnel, rushed to Mori village to assess the situation and initiate containment efforts. Fire department officer Balakrishna confirmed that fire and police teams are actively working to douse the flames. The Konaseema district administration, including District Collector Mahesh Kumar Ravirala and Superintendent of Police Rahul Meena, also arrived at the site to coordinate firefighting and safety measures.
As a precautionary measure, authorities ordered the evacuation of residents within a five-kilometer radius, including from Mori and Irusumanda villages. Loudspeaker announcements were made, advising villagers to avoid using electricity, lighting stoves, or switching on any electrical appliances to prevent further ignition. The incident has created a state of panic among the local populace, with many families moving their livestock to safer locations.
The massive fire has reportedly damaged around 500 coconut trees in the vicinity, and concerns have been raised about potential damage to nearby aqua ponds. ONGC has mobilized its Crisis Management Teams (CMT and RCMT) and initiated coordination with international well-control specialists to support advanced well control and casing-cutting operations if required.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the incident, directing officials to prioritize public safety, intensify relief measures, and ensure continuous coordination with district officials and ONGC representatives to bring the situation under control immediately. Investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the gas leak and assess any environmental impact.
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