New Delhi: More than 2,000 people, including 1,600 students, were evacuated on Monday after a major oleum leak from a chemical plant in Maharashtra’s Palghar district spread thick white smoke over a five-kilometre radius, officials confirmed.The leak occurred at around 2 pm at Bhageria Industries Ltd in MIDC Industrial Area, Boisar.Palghar district officer Dr Indu Rani Jakhar, who is supervising the field operations, said the district disaster management plan was launched immediately.“The situation is being monitored continuously in coordination with all relevant departments. Citizens should not believe rumours,” Jakhar said, urging residents to stay indoors and follow official instructions, PTI reported.District Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh assured residents that authorities were “taking all possible measures to deal with the situation” and advised villagers not to panic.He said smoke clouds had formed over the town of Boissard and locals in the wind direction had been evacuated. The area has also been cordoned off.“A leak of oleum occurred at the Bhageria Chemical Company in Boisar around 2 pm today. The regional administration and the fire brigade are carrying out operations to control the gas leak. The leak is continuing. Due to the leak of oleum, a white cloud-like smoke has formed over Boisar. Residential and industrial areas located in the wind direction are being evacuated. Clean-up work is also being carried out in Nakabandi. “Citizens are requested to move against the wind and smoke to a safe place and not to panic,” SP Yatish Deshmukh said.Authorities also reported that three people suffered minor eye irritation, but no serious injuries were recorded.According to a press release from the regional government, the leak occurred in a 2,500-liter oleum daily tank, releasing harmful fumes that spread quickly due to strong winds. The resulting cloud affected nearby schools, factories and residential areas, prompting authorities to evacuate more than 1,000 factory workers and more than 1,600 students at a local school as a safety measure.Emergency teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) and the fire brigade rushed to the spot but it was initially difficult to locate the exact source due to high smoke density.“Due to high smoke levels in the affected area, response teams faced difficulties in reaching the exact location of the leak,” an official news release said.Once inside, chemical experts and NDRF personnel equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) successfully located the leak and deployed sandbags around the tank to contain the smoke, officials added.Authorities said the cause of the leak was still under investigation.The Palghar administration continues to monitor air quality and ensure there is no immediate threat to residents. Dr. Jakhar added that various departments are coordinating efforts to ensure comprehensive containment and prevent recurrence.
