A massive fire has started at the oil well of Oil India Limited (OIL) in Assam's Tinsukia district. There was a gas that had been leaking since 27th May and was leaking for the last 14 days. Sources say that the fire that began in the afternoon on 9th June may spread to adjoining areas. The oil well at Baghjan Tinsukia is about 500 kilometres from Guwahati. The Assam government has requested the Air Force and the Army to help douse the fire. Assam Chief Minister Sarbanandera Sonowal also spoke to Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after the fire started. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been arranged in the area since the gas leak started and top officials of Assam are also reviewing the situation.

Experts from Singapore have been called to help control the situation. Locals have shared images on social media which shows a layer of gas depositing in the Maguri Beel wetland, carcasses of dolphins and other fishes were floating in the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park which is only three kilometres from the oil field. Paddy fields, ponds and wetlands in the nearby villages have also been contaminated and the danger is growing every day. Several small tea growers in the area have also complained about layers of gas condensates in their tea gardens. About 6,000 people living in a 1.5-km radius of the well have been evacuated and kept in relief camps. Oil India Limited has also announced financial relief of Rs 30,000 to each of the affected families.

Tags

• Assam
• Fire
• Oil
• well

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