(MENAFN- Gulf Times) A study is being conducted on the impact of gas leak from an LG Polymers plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on the overall environment in the surrounding villages while authorities have sent samples from water bodies including a major water reservoir for analysis amid public apprehension that they were contaminated by chemical toxins.
Following the leak of styrene gas from the chemical plant that killed 12 people and affected hundreds on May 7, authorities stopped drinking water supply from Megahdrigedda reservoir, one of the sources of water for the port city.
The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) said the supply from Meghadrigedda was stopped immediately as a precautionary measure.
'The water will not be drawn from Meghadrigedda till tests are conducted and it is proved that the water is safe for drinking, GVMC Commissioner G Srijana said.
Srijana, along with officials from the regional water testing laboratory, inspected the reservoir on Sunday.
Water from Mudasarlova, Yeleru and Thatipudi reservoirs is being used to meet the city's requirements.
Officials said since Meghadrigedda caters to the water needs of only a few areas, the stoppage had no major impact on the supply.
Locals claimed the reservoir was affected due to leakage of chemical toxins from the plant as layers of particles were seen floating on it and it also resulted in the death of fish in the water body..
The gas leak is reported to have polluted other water bodies in five villages surrounding the plant.
The samples from all water bodies were collected and sent for analysis.
GVMC officials said the impact would be known only after getting the rest results.
Meanwhile, at least four Andhra Pradesh ministers spent the night yesterday in the villages to create confidence among the people.
Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had asked ministers to spend the night in the villages.
Agriculture Minister K Kannababu earlier told reporters that they will have a night halt in the villages along with officials and supervise the arrangements to help restore normalcy.
He said as the emissions from the plant had reduced to zero, people were allowed to return to the villages from 4pm yesterday.
He and the three other ministers yesterday handed over documents relating to the payment of Rs1 crore each to the families of eight of the 12 people killed in the tragedy.
The compensation for others who fell ill will be paid in the coming three days, the ministers said after a videoconference with the chief minister.
They also monitored the clean-up operation of the areas surrounding the plant.
In a related development, officials said 13,000 tonnes of styrene gas is being sent back to South Korea.
The civic staff sanitised the entire area and is creating awareness among the locals about the safety measures after the gas leak and how to clean the residuals.
Those who are in hospital for serious ailments will get Rs10 lakh each and others, who are hospitalised, get Rs1 lakh each as compensation.
Also all the families residing in the affected villages will be compensated with Rs10,000 each.
The entire cost of hospitalisation will be borne by the government.
Minister for Urban Development Botsa Satyanarayana said that all public spaces, including open drains, are being cleaned and sanitised in the area.
Sanitation liquids will be provided to the villagers for indoor cleaning.
He claimed that the former Telugu Desam Party government led by Chandrababu Naidu gave permission for the expansion of LG Polymers in 2017, despite the fact that it is surrounded by residential areas.
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