Elathur choked! Diesel spill from Hindustan Petroleum depot causes chaos in local community

Elathur: A major diesel leak from the Hindustan Petroleum depot, located besides the national highway, has created a severe health and environmental crisis for nearby residents. The pungent smell of diesel spread over a wide area, reaching the residential zone, with two nearby streams becoming heavily contaminated. As a result, local inhabitants have endured the effects of the leak day and night, with several reporting breathing difficulties.

Three children from the area were admitted to the hospital due to respiratory issues caused by the fumes. One local resident, Saheera from Azheekkal Paramba, who lives close to the depot, described the situation: "It has been years of dealing with the constant stench of fuel, but this large-scale leakage has made it unbearable. We couldn’t even leave the house on Thursday morning due to the smell."

The diesel spill occurred when fuel leaked through a gap in the wall opposite Saheera's house. As workers removed slabs from a nearby drain, the diesel fumes spread rapidly. Saheera’s mother Ayisha, who suffers from asthma, had to be moved to a relative's house for safety. Saheer and her sister remained indoors, unable to cope with the fumes.

Meanwhile, Mini, another resident, recounted her distress when her daughter, upon returning home, was forced to leave again due to the overwhelming diesel smell.  "We moved here years before the plant was set up. Let the petroleum company buy our land and house. I had submitted a request to the Chief Minister citing the demand during the Nava Kerala Yatra, but no action has been taken," Mini said, echoing the sentiments of other residents, including Saheera and her sister.

The spill's impact was particularly severe on Thursday morning, as the two local streams, which run through the area, became filled with diesel. Residents, unable to stay in their homes due to the stench, found it impossible to continue with their daily lives. "We woke up to find the streams filled with diesel, and the smell was unbearable. It was impossible to stay in the house," said Baiju, a resident of Elathur Padannayil. "The diesel continued to float above the water throughout the day, and some residents had to take others to relatives' homes due to breathing problems," Baiju added.

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. Three years ago, a similar leak from the same depot caused widespread problems in the area. According to Baiju, the situation has worsened as authorities failed to prevent another leak despite previous warnings.

Local authorities and environmental groups have raised concerns over the damage caused by the spill. M. Sathyabhama, the local secretary of the CPM in Elathur, confirmed that the diesel had even killed fish in the stream. "The villagers had to leave the area early in the morning due to the hazardous fumes. Several people are now facing health issues," she said.

The spill has caused environmental and health concerns, and the residents are now calling for swift action from authorities to address the situation and ensure such incidents do not occur again.