Overview
- Natural gas blew out during workover at the Mori-5 well in Irusumanda, operated by Production Enhancement Contractor Deep Industries under ONGC’s Rajahmundry asset.
- The site is cordoned off as cooling operations continue and ONGC’s Crisis Management Teams are deployed, with State Fire Services and NDRF supporting response efforts and local power cut as a precaution.
- Authorities evacuated residents from at least two nearby villages, including Irusumanda and Lakkavaram, after thick gas and smoke spread from the blaze.
- Officials say the well sits in a remote area with no habitation within roughly 500–600 metres, is not linked to any GAIL pipeline, and may hold more than 30 million cubic feet of gas.
- District officials expect clearer progress on controlling or capping the well within about 24 hours, and the chief minister’s office is closely tracking the response.