Nagpur, Aug 24: At least 56 people were hospitalised after a chlorine gas leak at a water purification plant of the state-run Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran in Nagpur district shortly after midnight on Monday, officials said.
Of these, 11 patients were discharged later in the day after treatment, while 45 still remain admitted in hospitals, including eight in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), they said.
The leakage occurred in a 900-kg capacity chlorine gas cylinder at the water treatment plant of the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran in the Godhani gram panchayat area at around 1 am, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) said.
The gas leak caused distress to residents of nearby localities with people running for safety and gasping for breath.
In the early hours of August 24, it was noticed that one of two chlorine gas cylinders at the Godhani water purification plant was leaking. Under the guidance of the Nagpur collector, the Directorate of Health Services, industrial safety authorities and an NDRF team coordinated to mitigate the potential danger from the accident, said a release issued by the by District Information Office (DIO).
A total of 56 people were admitted to hospitals because of the gas leak. Of these, 11 people were treated and later sent home in stable condition. At present, 45 people remain hospitalized, of whom eight are receiving treatment in the ICU, said the release.
The leaking cylinder was fully submerged in water, and the hazard was brought under control. The hospital administration and the state health department have been conducting door-to-door checks and inspections in the affected area, it stated.
When the incident happened, District Collector Kumar Aashirwad immediately alerted all agencies concerned and dispatched an NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) team to the affected area.
The team promptly carried out rescue operations and undertook technical measures, successfully averting potential danger. With coordination between the NDRF, medical teams and the district collector, affected residents received immediate medical treatment, which brought considerable relief, according to the release.
On being informed about the incident, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Nagpur Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule promptly asked the District Collector to take remedial measures.
The gas leak triggered panic in nearby residential areas with many people experienced coughing and difficulty in breathing, said the NMC.
Police later evacuated residents within a 200‑metre radius to safe locations and sealed off the affected area.
Residents of nearby settlements were instructed to move away, and affected people were taken to hospitals for treatment, the NMC said in a release.
After being alerted, the civic fire personnel rushed to the spot with two water tenders and breathing apparatus. Staff of the Orange City Water Pvt Ltd (OCW), which supplies drinking water in Nagpur, and an NDRF team were also called in for assistance.
At about 5.30 am, after the leak was plugged, the NDRF team, firefighters and OCW personnel placed the chlorine cylinder into a tank of water mixed with caustic soda, the civic body said. (PTI)
