KONASEEMA, ANDHRA PRADESH – The massive fire triggered by a natural gas blowout at ONGC’s Mori-5 drilling site has been significantly contained. District Collector Mahesh Kumar Ravirala confirmed on Tuesday evening, January 6, 2026, that the intensity of the flames has been reduced by 90%, with full containment expected within the next four to five days.
The blowout occurred on Monday afternoon, January 5, at Irusumanda village during workover operations aimed at enhancing gas flow. The operation was being managed by ONGC’s contractor, Deep Industries Limited.
Containment Strategy: The “Water Umbrella”
Engineers and firefighters from Rajamahendravaram, Narsapuram, and Delhi have successfully utilized a multi-layered cooling strategy to stabilize the site:
- Temporary Canal: Authorities excavated a temporary canal to divert water from the Gudavalli irrigation canal directly to the site.
- Thermal Cooling System: High-capacity pumps are creating a “water umbrella” over the well to keep temperatures low and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby plantations.
- Vertical Redirection: Firefighters have successfully redirected the flames into a stable vertical direction, reducing the risk of ground-level flare-ups.
- International Experts: ONGC has put the U.S.-based Wild Well Control group on standby. A final decision on their deployment will be made today (Wednesday) based on the well’s pressure levels.
The Human & Agricultural Impact
While no loss of life or injuries were reported, the blowout caused significant disruption to local farmers and residents.
| Metric | Impact Details |
| Evacuations | Approx. 600 people from Irusumanda, Goodapalli, and Lakkavaram villages. |
| Current Status | Evacuees have been cleared to return home as of Wednesday morning. |
| Agricultural Loss | At least 75 coconut trees and 3 acres of rabi paddy crops destroyed. |
| Equipment Loss | The ONGC rig and heavy vehicles (estimated at ₹50–₹60 crore) were charred. |
Government Response
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu held a high-level review meeting and directed the district administration to prioritize:
- Swift Compensation: Directing officials to assess damages to coconut plantations and property for immediate payout.
- Transparent Communication: Ensuring locals are updated every few hours to prevent rumors or panic.
- Long-Term Safety: Planning a joint meeting with ONGC and partner agencies to audit the safety protocols of “Production Enhancement” contracts to prevent recurrence.