From Pasarlapudi to Nagaram: A History of Gas Mishaps in Konaseema
Gas leaked from a major pipeline of GAIL at Nagaram, leading to the blast on June 27, 2014. 23 persons died and 16 persons suffered injuries.
Kakinada: The recurring blowouts and pipeline blasts occurring in the Konaseema district are consequent on exploration of oil and natural gases in the Krishna-Godavari basin undertaken by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL).
Following are the incidents:
Pasarlapudi Blowout: On January 8, 1995 at 6:50 p.m. there had been a blowout at Pasarlapudi. The fire continued to rage for 65 days and got controlled on March 15, 1995. Around 6,000 families in surrounding villages had been evacuated. ONGC had contacted international experts to cover the gas leak. But, ONGC’s internal team managed to cap the well successfully.
Devarapalli Blowout: This occurred at Pithanivaripalem village in Kothapeta mandal, about 3 km from Ravulapalem in Konaseema district on February 19, 1997, at 1:30 p.m. The blowout got capped on February 23 after 42 hours of the incident. Flames had risen over 100 metres. As a precautionary measure, 400 families had been evacuated after February 24, 1997.
Nagaram Pipeline Blast: Gas leaked from a major pipeline of GAIL at Nagaram, leading to the blast on June 27, 2014. 23 persons died and 16 persons suffered injuries. Many animals and birds too died in the incident.
Uppudi Blowout: This occurred on February 2, 2020 around 3 p.m. at Uppudi village in Katrenikona mandal of Konaseema district. The well got capped on February 4, 2020.
Komarada Mud Blowout: A huge mud blowout occurred in 1992. The blowout got capped five days later.
Tandavapalli Blowout: This occurred on September 8, 2005. Authorities capped it within four hours.
