Correct the oil leak in Tamil Nadu, the pollution body advises CPCL

Locals and experts claim that during storm Michaung, the oil leak in Chennai extended over an area of 20 sq km, infiltrating residences and reaching the sea—four times the first estimate that the state provided to the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) facilities in the city’s industrial sector in the northern region of Manali are the cause of the oil leak, according to the findings of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, which is looking into the incident’s origin.

at its report, the pollution board said, “The team has also noted inadequate stormwater management issues in CPCL premises,” and it instructed CPCL to take corrective action on a “war footing.”

Numerous households have been impacted by the oil spill’s spread since their means of subsistence rely on the aquatic life, biodiversity, and coastal environment. In its hearing on December 12, the NGT, which had taken up the issue of suo moto, ordered the state to make up for the lost wages.

When the typhoon made landfall on December 4, bringing with it heavy rains that inundated the city, local fishermen were the first to observe oil leaking from the premises. The CPCL refuted claims of leaks on their property. How the oil combined with floodwater and left the property is still a mystery. According to a report provided by the government, the pollution control board, which was entrusted with investigating the reason, has only stated that the oil leak occurred from CPCL and flowed into the Buckingham Canal, which passes through Chennai’s north and south, eventually reaching Ennore Creek.

The Indian Coast Guard discovered that the oil leak had spread at sea from the mouth of the Kosasthalaiyar River up to the rocky coastline of Kasimedu, a fishing harbor, after performing a reconnaissance mission on December 9 and 10. The Coast Guard claimed in a statement that “the spilled oil continued its way, engulfed the city drains, Ennore creeks and entire coastal sea area through Kosasthalaiyar river mouth.”

The Coast Guard’s vessels and chopper claimed to have conducted significant reaction operations on December 10 and to have “averted a major damage to the delicate coastal ecosystem,” but the state is clearing the trapped and floating oil from the canal, stream, and land using its equipment and labor force.In order to collect the floating oil in the Ennore Creek region, the state has sent out three gully sucker machines and oil-regulating booms. It has also enlisted the help of organizations that handle oil spills. To clear up oil residue from impacted regions, specialized oil cleaning companies have been called in. According to a government statement, “the Environment and Climate Change and Forest Department has set up a coordination center at Nattukuppam village to coordinate mitigation activities.” A quick evaluation of the region’s loss of biodiversity has also been completed by the department. A government representative said, “The oil will be disposed of at a licensed unit for storing hazardous waste.”

Environmentalists claimed that the response mechanism was moving too slowly. “In a major calamity like this, no immediate action has been done. Today marked the beginning of the cleaning procedure, according to NGO Poovulagin Nanbargal’s environment engineer, Prabhakaran Veeraarasu. “They need to have moved the impacted individuals to a different area first. They have been in contact with a dangerous material for seven days. However, we are still unsure of the oil’s composition—whether it is wasted fuel or raw crude oil—if any other chemicals have been mixed in with it, as well as any potential risks.

The Greater Chennai Corporation has organized medical camps for affected residents, including low-income households in Nattukuppam, who have reported having fever, skin allergies, and respiratory problems.

Six-foot-tall motorist S Murugan claims that the floodwater inside his house was higher than his head. After moving to a government relief shelter with his family, he discovered oil mixed with floodwater when he returned home two days after the hurricane to get some necessities. The 1,500 families who reside in these houses are all at risk.

“The oil has destroyed all of my possessions, including my cars and documents,” claims Murugan. More important to him, however, is that the oil has ruined his son’s class 10 textbooks. They have food, and clean water to drink, and bathe provided by the government. “Today, the authorities began cleaning our homes. He said, “The smell of the oil combined with bleaching powder is sickening.

At the locations to oversee the mitigation activities are representatives from many departments, including the pollution control board, health, environment, animal husbandry, dairying, fisheries, and disaster management. The Oil Leak Crisis Management Group of Tamil Nadu, which was established in May, convened on Monday evening and is now evaluating the effects of the oil leak and the loss of biodiversity. A technical committee comprising state representatives, specialists from Anna University, the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the Coast Guard was established on December 11 after Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena examined certain areas of the oil spill, according to a government statement. The corporation and the Chennai collector are listing the fishermen and families that have been impacted. “Senior authorities are helping impacted families, especially fishermen, by implementing quick mitigating measures. Treatment is being given by a group of physicians, including dermatologists, according to a government representative. The pollution control board has given CPCL seven instructions, including mapping the oil spread with the assistance of a technical institution and submitting an action plan right away. They have also been warned that their operations may be suspended if they are found to be discharging oil-containing water or polluted water in violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

Armed with images of dead fish and animals, R L Srinivasan, the president of the Kattukuppam Fishermen Cooperative, filed a case at the NGT. According to Srinivasan, “It’s a big loss.” He said that the CPCL purposefully released waste oil while extracting an excessive amount of stormwater from their property. “because there has previously been oil leakage from their property. Over the years, we have had a number of rallies over this issue,” adds Srinivasan.

According to a CPCL representative who wished to remain anonymous, they have not discovered any leaks in their refinery or pipes. They believe that oil traces may have slipped into Buckingham Canal as a result of stormwater flowing in the other direction due to the exceptional floods.

The official said, “We are clearing the spillage as soon as possible now, per the state and NGT’s orders.” It is our current priority.

According to Prabhakaran, the present catastrophe is greater than the oil leak that happened in Ennore in 2017 as a result of two ships colliding at sea. Dense oil is still present along the Kosasthalaiyar River and Ennore stream, he said, adding that “marine life was affected in 2017 but this time it has also entered people’s homes.”

According to naturalist Yuvan Aves, Ennore has fertility and richness with migrating birds and near-threatened species despite being a heavily exploited terrain with 37 enterprises, including the CPCL. An oil leak is a persistent issue. Any hydrophobic pollutant takes a very long time to lose its effects, according to Yuvan.

At least 50 different kinds of birds may be found here, including migratory and almost endangered species like the Spot-billed Pelican, Whiskered Tern, and Painted Stork. Yuvan adds, “You find the white-bellied sea eagle nesting here for years.” For birds, who were still severely impacted by the oil spill in large numbers even in 2017, it is very deadly. Yuvan says, “A bird dipped in oil is finished.” The cuticle layer that covers bird feathers gives them their waterproof quality. Oil and other hydrophobic chemicals dissolve that cuticle layer. As a result, a cormorant—a medium- to large-sized bird—that comes into touch with this is unable to return to the water. They’ll get wet and end up dead. It is necessary to conduct an effect assessment on the local people and biodiversity.

He continues, “The Ennore-Pulicat wetlands, which cover 8,000 acres, are the most significant hydrological system and a significant flood draining system in Chennai.” Prawns, which have a split life cycle between the sea and coastal wetland, are the main driver of the coastal economy, he adds, adding that the convergence of habitats here has the richest oyster reefs and algal beds, which are vital for prawn reproduction.