Gas tanker overturns on NH

Gas leak contained after 24 hours

Eluru: An ammonium gas tanker overturned on the national highway near here on Sunday night spreading terror among people in the surrounding villages. The ammonium gas leaked continuously for about 24 hours.A The gas tanker was going to Srikakulam from Ahmedabad and in a bid to overtake a stationary bus, the tanker turned upside down. Suddenly the gas leaked from the tanker making people run away from the scene.

However, the district administration headed by District Collector Dr G Vani Mohan swung into action and assured people that the gas leak was not harmful.A A team of six Fire tenders were pressed into service to control leaking gas with water to minimize the effect of the leak. They continued spraying of water for the last 23 hours till the gas leak contained.

The officials estimated that the tanker contained 15,000 litres of liquid ammonium gas. The police are looking for the tanker driver who was absconding. The traffic on the national highway came to standstill up to eight kilometers due to the fear that ammonium gas was harmful. However, the experts say that ammonium gas is not harmful. It might result in skin rashes and irritation to eyes.