Overview
- Local residents reported a minor natural gas leak near Machavaram village in Konaseema and ONGC safety personnel were dispatched to the site.
- ONGC said its Safety wing is working to plug the pipeline leak and that the affected pipeline segment will be replaced the same day.
- District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar issued a release saying the fire from the leak was under control while plugging operations continue.
- All ONGC wells in the immediate area have been temporarily closed to prevent further gas release and to allow repair work to proceed safely.
- The incident echoes earlier accidents in the district, including a January 2026 blowout that caused evacuations and crop damage, raising local concerns about repeated safety failures.