Lethal Gas Leak, A styrene gas leak at the LG Polymers’ Plant in Vizag (Vishakhapatnam) in the wee hours of May 7 has been confirmed to have killed at least 11 people, including 1 minor. The gas spread to 5 villages within a 3 km radius of the plant, affecting 1000s. Approximately 200 were rushed to hospitals when they complained of burning eyes or difficulty in breathing normally.
Lethal Gas Leak, Styrene is a hazardous and toxic chemical which causes severe short-term as well as long-
term health impacts. If it reacts with Oxygen in air, it gets converted into Styrene dioxide,
which is an even more dangerous form of the chemical. Lethal Gas Leak, Environmentalists have urged the
government to evacuate all within a 5 km’s radius, for which the government has engaged the
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Amid rescue efforts, all involved have
been forced to forget about COVID-19 precautions and focus on just escaping the danger
zone.
Lethal Gas Leak, The management has been booked under several charges such as causing death by
negligence, and culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and notices have been issued by
the Andhra HC to both the Central and State governments to enquire why such a plant was
allowed to operate so close to a residential area. Lethal Gas Leak, The National Green Tribunal will take up the
case in detail on Friday. Meanwhile, rescue and evacuation efforts continue, and all nearby
citizens have been advised to wear wet masks as a precaution.The management has been booked under several charges such as causing death by
negligence, and culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and notices have been issued by
the Andhra HC to both the Central and State governments to enquire why such a plant was
allowed to operate so close to a residential area. The National Green Tribunal will take up the
case in detail on Friday. Meanwhile, rescue and evacuation efforts continue, and all nearby
citizens have been advised to wear wet masks as a precaution.
Krishaang Kohli
Grade XII, Manav Rachna International School, Gurgaon
Krishaang is a curious and ambitious young man who wants to make a change in the world and leave his mark. An out and out feminist, he is a published writer and has taken part in and won many debates and group discussion competitions at all levels (from school to international).
