The incident occurred at the Irusumanda well site while repair and maintenance work was underway. According to district officials, production from the well had been temporarily suspended when a sudden blast led to an uncontrolled release of gas and crude oil. Within minutes, the escaping gas ignited, sending tall flames into the air and releasing dense clouds of smoke that spread across Irusumanda and surrounding habitations.
Residents described the area being engulfed in a thick, fog-like layer of gas and smoke, reducing visibility and raising fears of further explosions. As a safety measure, the district administration ordered the evacuation of Irusumanda and three neighbouring villages. People were moved to safer locations under police supervision.
Authorities issued public advisories through loudspeakers, urging residents to switch off electrical mains, avoid lighting gas stoves, and refrain from using mobile phones or other electronic devices to minimise the risk of ignition. Entry into the affected zone has been strictly restricted.
Fire and emergency services were rushed to the site, and firefighting operations are currently underway. ONGC’s emergency response teams, along with technical experts, reached the location shortly after the incident and are working to cap the leak and bring the fire under control. Senior district officials and ONGC officers remain stationed at the site to monitor developments.
“The situation is being closely watched. Evacuation was done purely as a precautionary step. There is no report of loss of life,” a district administration official said, adding that air quality and safety assessments are ongoing.
The oil well is part of ONGC’s Rajahmundry asset and is operated by Deep Industries Limited, a private contractor. In 2024, Deep Industries secured a contract worth approximately ₹1,402 crore from ONGC to enhance production from several wells in the region. Officials said it is too early to determine whether the incident is linked to technical failure or human error, and a detailed investigation will be conducted once the site is stabilised.
Environmental and safety experts have also been alerted, given the proximity of the well to residential areas and ecologically sensitive zones of the Konaseema region.
Authorities said evacuated residents would be allowed to return only after the fire is fully extinguished and the area is declared safe. Further updates are expected as containment operations progress.
