00:00And we have news coming in from Andhra Pradesh, there is a suspected ONGC gas leak which triggered
00:10panic in Kona Sima district of Andhra Pradesh. According to preliminary information, the incident
00:16occurred when production at the well suddenly vaulted and workover rig operations were underway.
00:22During the process, a large volume of gas mixed with crude oil reportedly gushed out with great
00:28force, spreading rapidly towards the village. As a precautionary measure, officials evacuated
00:34people from nearby houses and shifted them to safer locations to avoid any untoward incident.
00:40The exact cause of the gas leak and the details of any damage are yet to be ascertained.
00:47Authorities stated that the efforts are underway to bring the situation under control and a
00:52detailed assessment will be carried out.
00:58And joining us right now is India Today's Apoorva Jayachandran. Apoorva, tell us, what's
01:06the situation right now? Because the fire seems to be massive.
01:11Well, in fact, what we are getting to learn right now is that, you know, officials are on
01:17ground trying to control the gas leak that had been originally triggered, you know, due to
01:23some kind of, you know, work over rig operations that was underway. We are getting to learn that
01:29thankfully so far there haven't been any casualties reported in this incident and that all the
01:36people who are likely to be affected by this gas leak, lengthy operations have been carried
01:41out and they have all been shifted safely to areas which are safer for them to stay. Meanwhile,
01:48you know, there is also, you know, operations that are underway. Fire and rescue officials
01:54are looking into this gas leak that took place. You know, from the visuals as well, you can see how the
02:00gas has spread like a thick mist of sorts and that has also created a sort of panic amongst the
02:06villages in and around this nearby vicinity of this gas leak as well. Under Pradesh, Chief
02:13Minister Naraswantirwabha Naidu has already talked to officials on ground, taking stock of the
02:18situation, alerting and, you know, instructing officials to ensure that, you know, the drill site
02:25in which, in the Rajonu constituency in which this gas leak has taken place, all of this will be
02:30contained at the earliest as well. We also instructed authorities to ensure that people
02:36who are in the vicinity of this gas leak, they are also moved to high-rise regions
02:43and for safety as well. And if needed, they get the medical aid that is necessary for them.
02:49The District SC, the MLA and the MP of Rajonu constituency, Conacy Man District, have already reached
02:57there at the site and are monitoring the situation as we are speaking, taking stock of the situation and
03:03saying what further help is needed and how else can they help in this time of practice.
03:10Right, Apoorva, what kind of a gas is this suspected to be and how dangerous could it be for people?
03:17Well, we are getting to learn that, you know, this gas leakage was from the ONDC drill site that took
03:26place as well. And what, you know, we are getting to learn is that there are a couple of pipelines
03:33there in that area during which, you know, in one of these underground works that were taking place
03:39place by the crew there. That is when this, you know, accident had taken place. But given the manner
03:46in which this is a huge, you know, calamity that has broken out and the kind of gas leak that has
03:53happened there, creating a thick mist in and around India by this needy, it has triggered panic amongst the
04:00villages in and around the Raghuri Constituency and the area where the gas leak had taken place.
04:06All necessary precautions had immediately been taken by local authorities, you know, from the drill
04:13site as well, this apart from the fire and rescue authorities who were immediately alerted and had
04:19reached the spot on ground as well. In fact, the ministers who were also in and around the Constituency
04:25have been taking stop of the situation, keeping the chief minister informed of what is the necessary
04:31measure that is being taken. In fact, you know, the relief efforts have also been intensified,
04:38given that, you know, this is a very crucial sign that is, you know, there to save people,
04:45should there be any casualties because of the gas leak. But moreover, the priority right now is to
04:52contain whatever leak has happened and also to ensure that the villages in and around are safely
04:59transported and transferred to, you know, high rise areas far away from the vicinity of this gas leak.
05:07Right. Thank you, Apoorva, for all those details. So, currently, it seems that the state
05:12government has moved into action and taken people to safer areas.
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