Bhubaneswar: A major ammonia gas leak from a cold storage facility at a potato warehouse in Aiginia under Khandagiri police limits in Bhubaneswar triggered widespread panic among residents late on Wednesday.
The incident occurred around 1 am after midnight, when a strong, pungent odour of ammonia began spreading through the neighbourhood and residents complained of eye irritation, breathing difficulties and nausea, following which the Fire department and Khandagiri police were informed.
According to sources, five fire tenders, along with a specialised strike force team, soon arrived at the spot. People staying close to the facility were moved to safer places as a precautionary measure. Locals within a 1-km radius were also advised to either stay indoors or move away from the affected zone to escape the toxic effects.
Firefighters entered the premises wearing protective gear and identified the source of the leak to a fault in the valve packing of the ammonia pipeline used in the facility’s cooling system. The team also sprayed an atomised solution to neutralise the gas and used water to prevent it from spreading further. The operation lasted for about 3-4 hours, after which the damaged valve was successfully sealed, containing the leak.
Officials confirmed that no injuries or casualties were reported in the incident.
Police had blocked the Aiginia underpass on the National Highway, preventing vehicles from approaching the potato cold storage, during this period, the sources added.
Ammonia is commonly used as a refrigerant in cold storage units for potatoes and other perishables due to its efficiency, but leaks can pose serious health hazards, including respiratory issues and eye damage from exposure to high concentrations.
