Cyclone Michaung, which brought 36 hours of incessant rain starting from December 3, 2023, led to severe flooding in Chennai. The unprecedented flooding caused the water level in the Buckingham Canal to rise, resulting in a reverse flow. This occurrence appears to have carried some oil from Chennai Petroleum Corporation (CPCL) Refinery and other industrial units in the Manali area into the Buckingham Canal when flood levels receded.
Following these events, an oil slick has been formed near the Ennore Creek. CPCL, equipped with the expertise and capability to manage such incidents, has taken the lead in coordination with State Authorities to address and remove the oil slick. It is important to note that there has been no pipeline leak or leakage from tanks in the refinery, and the refinery continues to operate.
CPCL has promptly mobilized four agencies from Chennai, Mumbai, and Paradip for oil spill cleanup. Containment booms, deployed on an emergency basis, now cover around 1430 meters in different areas of the creek and canal. Six oil skimmers have been actively involved in the cleanup, along with the use of around 20,000 absorbent pads to remove oil traces from the water surface.
The oil presence in the containment zone has been significantly reduced, with around 110 boats and 440 manpower deployed for intensive oil slick removal activities. Mechanized cleaning efforts have been completed in two out of five shore areas, and house cleaning of affected areas with the required manpower is underway. Hydro jetting machines and wet and dry vacuum machines have been employed to expedite the cleanup.
Safety is a top priority, and all personnel involved in the cleanup activities are provided with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). CPCL has distributed 600 gloves, 1000 masks, 750 gumboots, 500 helmets, 550 boiler suits, and 500 goggles to the local workforce at the Ennore Creek area.
A dedicated team from CPCL is continuously monitoring all cleanup activities under the guidance of TNPCB and State Authorities. CPCL is working tirelessly to complete the cleanup and clear the areas in coordination with TNPCB and State authorities, with the target of completion within the next 2-3 days.
In addition to the cleanup efforts, CPCL is actively contributing to overall relief within the state. The company has provided around 11,000 bags of rice, 6,000 bags of groceries, 3,000 sarees, 2,000 sets of women’s clothing, 2,000 dhotis, 2,000 bedsheets, 2,000 mosquito coils, 500 sleeping mats, and other essential items to the State nodal officer for relief efforts.
