Over 50 Hours On, ONGC Struggles to Contain Massive Gas Leak in Assam’s Sivasagar

More than 50 hours have passed, but efforts to contain a massive gas leak in eastern Assam’s Sivasagar district have seen little success. The leak, which followed a powerful explosion

More than 50 hours have passed, but efforts to contain a massive gas leak in eastern Assam’s Sivasagar district have seen little success. The leak, which followed a powerful explosion at Rig No. RDS-147 under ONGC’s Rudrasagar oilfield, has forced the evacuation of at least 70 families to a relief camp.

The incident occurred on Thursday at around 11:45 am in the Bhatiapar area, triggering a high-pressure emission of natural gas. The deafening roar of the gas escaping from the well reportedly echoed across 3 to 4 kilometres, triggeing panic through nearby villages, including Bari Chuk. Many residents fled their homes in fear.

The rig, operated by SK Petrochemicals on behalf of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), suffered the blowout during routine drilling operations. ONGC said it activated emergency protocols immediately, but the high-pressure leak proved difficult to control.

In an official statement, ONGC said, “Upon detection, ONGC immediately activated standard safety protocols. The site was promptly secured, and an emergency response team led by the Asset Manager reached the location without delay. The situation is now fully under control.” However, ground reports suggest the leak continues, with fresh efforts still underway to cap the blowout.

Sivasagar District Commissioner Ayush Garg confirmed that the displaced families have been shifted to a relief camp at Bongaon. “The district administration is coordinating with ONGC, SDRF, NDRF, and local emergency services to bring the situation under control. The public is urged to avoid the area and follow official advisories,” said the DC.

Locals described scenes of chaos, with fear gripping villages around the site. Many said they had never witnessed such an incident before, and some are still afraid to return to their homes.

The Rudrasagar oilfield is a key part of ONGC’s operations in Assam, a state vital to India’s domestic oil and gas production. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and ONGC’s own technical staff are on ground, working round the clock to bring the situation under control.

Also Read: 6 Dead As Dibrugarh and Tezpur Sizzled at Over 38 Degrees, Guwahati Burnt at 37.2 Degrees

For more news and updates, visit: Northeast Live

COMMENTS