In a significant development, authorities have declared that the evacuated residents of Irusumanda and Mori villages can return to their homes following three days of intensive firefighting and blowout control operations at the Mori-5 Well owned by state-run oil giant ONGC in Andhra Pradesh’s Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema district.
The massive blaze, which erupted on January 5 during repair works, has now been substantially contained, according to officials. The remote risk of escalation, they say, has been minimized. Over 500 people were evacuated from the affected villages due to the incident.
The Mori-5 Well is located in a densely populated area and the fire had raised concerns about potential harm to nearby residents. However, with the situation now under control, the authorities believe it is safe for the evacuees to return home.
ONGC is coordinating closely with local authorities to ensure the safety of the residents and to mitigate any further risks. The company has not yet released a statement regarding the cause or extent of the damage caused by the fire.
The incident, while contained, serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in oil and gas extraction operations, particularly in densely populated areas. It is hoped that lessons will be learned to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
