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Major Chemical Disaster in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh

Posted 23 Aug 2024

2 min read

Disaster occurred due to a reactor blast caused by a fire in a leaked solvent in a Pharmaceutical company. 

  • India's vulnerability to chemical disasters is highlighted by presence of approximately 1,861 Major Accident Hazard (MAH) units and thousands of other registered hazardous factories (below MAH criteria).
    • MAH is a source of danger that has potential to cause a major incident.

Other examples of Chemical Disasters in India

  • Ammonia Gas Leak at Chennai (2024):  Due to damaged gas pipeline caused by cyclone Michaung. 
  • Vizag Gas Leak (2020): Styrene gas leak at LG Polymers in Visakhapatnam.
  • Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984): Due to leak of methyl isocyanate gas from Union Carbide plant.

Initiatives taken for Chemical accidents

Indian

  • NDMA guidelines to provide directions to ministries and state authorities for preparation of their detailed disaster management plans.
  • Explosives Act 1884 sets safety standards for handling, transportation, and storage of explosives to prevent accidents.  
  • Other steps: Public Liability Insurance Act 1991, Factories Act, 1948 & Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2019

Global

  • Flexible framework for addressing Chemical Accident Prevention and Preparedness by UNEP.
  • ILO code of practice on Prevention of major industrial accidents, 1991.
  • ILO’s Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents Convention, 1993 (No. 174).
  • Tags :
  • Disaster Management
  • Chemical Disaster
  • Industrial Accidents
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