A potentially catastrophic situation was narrowly avoided when a cooking gas tanker experienced a leak near Chithari KSTP road in Kasaragod on May 23, Thursday.
Swift Response
The driver of the tanker detected the leak at approximately 7:30 a.m. and promptly halted the vehicle. Emergency services, including Fire and Rescue Services personnel, acted swiftly to contain the leak.
Evacuation and Traffic Diversion
Authorities, in collaboration with the Police, Revenue, and Local Self-Government departments, along with local residents, evacuated individuals residing within a 300-meter radius of the leak site. Traffic on the State highway was diverted to ensure public safety.
Cause of Leak
The leak was traced to the rotor gauge of the tanker, which was traveling from Manguluru to Kozhikode.
Expert Intervention
Despite initial attempts by the Fire and Rescue Services from Kanhangad and Kasaragod to seal the leak, expert assistance was sought from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) in Mangaluru. Specialists from IOC commenced transferring the gas to other tankers to mitigate the risk.
Continued Caution
Temporary sealing of the leak required approximately two-and-a-half hours. Authorities have advised that traffic diversions will remain in place until the gas transfer process is completed.
The prompt and coordinated response from emergency services averted a potential disaster, underscoring the importance of preparedness and collaboration in mitigating such incidents.
