ONGC Achieves Partial Containment of Mori-5 Gas Blowout in Andhra Pradesh
Massive blaze contained amid evacuations and crop devastation.
Specialized firefighting crews achieved partial containment of the ferocious gas blowout at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's Mori-5 well near Irusumanda village in Andhra Pradesh's Ambedkar Konaseema district by January 7, 2026, markedly diminishing the intense flames that had raged since the initial leak on January 5, reducing their original dimensions from approximately 25 metres in width and 20 metres in height.
Coordinated teams from Rajamahendravaram and Narasapuram, bolstered by dedicated ONGC and GAIL fire response units, strategically deployed six high-capacity water tankers equipped with advanced Thermal Cooling Systems to vertically redirect the inferno while establishing a sustained "water umbrella" that effectively suppressed ambient temperatures and halted lateral expansion of the fire.
Radiating heat surpassing 50 degrees Celsius devastated surrounding agricultural landscapes, incinerating extensive coconut plantations, standing paddy crops, and vegetable fields across multiple villages, necessitating the urgent evacuation of nearly 600 residents from Lakkavaram, Irusumanda, and Gubbalapalem who were promptly relocated to secure rehabilitation centres offering essential food, shelter, and medical support.
Also Read: #BreakingNews: Gas Leak Fire at ONGC Well Triggers Village Evacuation in Andhra Pradesh
ONGC's senior leadership and a specialized Crisis Management Team dispatched from Delhi assumed full operational command at the site, formulating a rigorous blowout control protocol that included engineering a temporary diversion canal from adjacent irrigation sources, alongside continuous real-time monitoring of air quality, noise pollution, and potential contamination in nearby water bodies within a 600-metre safety perimeter.
Amid mounting political scrutiny and demands for independent judicial inquiries into alleged contractual irregularities involving contractor Deep Industries Ltd, local lawmakers and opposition figures condemned perceived lapses in communication and oversight, as multi-agency efforts involving revenue officials, police, SDRF, and Red Cross persisted toward achieving complete extinguishment under stringent safety and environmental protocols.
Also Read: #BreakingNews: Gas Leak Fire at ONGC Well Triggers Village Evacuation in Andhra Pradesh
