Chemical-laden tanker overturns in Lucknow; toxic haze sparks panic

Lucknow. A major accident took place in Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, late in the evening of Monday, 26 October. A tanker filled with formalin chemical went out of control and overturned on Kisan Path in Bakshi Ka Talab (BKT) police station area. As soon as the tanker overturned, the chemical filled in it started spreading on the road and a fog-like atmosphere with pungent smell was created in the surrounding area. Due to coming in contact with the chemical, nearby villagers, passers-by and students living in hostels started suffering from eye irritation, cough, itching and difficulty in breathing. As soon as information about the incident was received, teams of police, fire department and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) reached the spot. In view of safety, traffic on the affected road was stopped and vehicles were evacuated to other routes.

After the accident, there was chaos in the entire area. People living nearby got scared due to the strong smell of chemical. Many people suddenly started feeling burning sensation in the eyes and throat. On receiving information from the local people, the administration immediately started relief and rescue operation. Barricading was done in the affected area and the general public was advised to stay away from the incident site.

Tanker overturns due to tire burst

According to the information received, the tanker filled with formalin was going from Sandila in Hardoi district to a plywood factory located in Gudamba, Lucknow. At around 8 pm on Monday night, the tire of the vehicle suddenly burst near the Manpur-Bana underpass on Kisan Path. Due to this, the driver could not control the tanker and it overturned on the road.

As soon as the tanker overturned, the liquid chemical filled in it started flowing on the road. The strong smell emanating from the chemical quickly spread around. At the time of the accident, the drivers passing through the road and the nearby villagers also had to face problems due to this.

Seeing the effect of the chemical, the administration decided to immediately stop the traffic and keep people at a safe distance.

Impact reached many villages and hostels

The impact of the chemical leak was felt in many villages around Kisan Path and in the hostels of educational institutions. People living in Manpur Bana, Nguwamau, Ghazipur and surrounding areas complained of burning sensation in eyes, nose and throat.

After the incident, different reports have emerged regarding the number of people affected. Some initial reports suggested that more than 50 thousand people from more than 10 villages and dozens of hostels were affected, while other reports said that around 10 to 12 thousand people were affected. The final number of affected people has not been confirmed by the administration.

The situation also became worrying for the students living in hostels. Students and staff faced problems due to the smell of chemicals spreading around. In such a situation, the administration advised people to stop unnecessary movement in the affected area and take precautions.

Security cordon up to two kilometers, route diversion of vehicles

Considering the seriousness of the accident, the police tightened security arrangements in the affected area. According to initial reports, precautionary restrictions were imposed in an area of ​​about two kilometers. Some reports said that the police had stopped the vehicles about 500 meters before the incident site.

The affected section of Kisan Path was closed for traffic. Vehicles coming on the road were sent to alternative routes, so that no person came in direct contact with the chemical.

Along with BKT police station, teams of fire department, SDRF and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also participated in the rescue operation. Security personnel took action to control the leakage of the chemical and make the surrounding area safe.

Leak controlled after five hours of effort

Relief and rescue teams had to work hard to stop the spread of the chemical. According to Dainik Jagran report, fire brigade personnel and SDRF team controlled the leakage and spread after about five hours of action.

Given the potential danger of the chemical substance, rescue workers used protective equipment. A medical team and an ambulance were also arranged at the spot, so that immediate treatment could be provided if a person’s health deteriorated.

According to the police, no casualty has been reported in this accident. However, the administration maintained vigilance in view of health complaints of people exposed to the chemical.

What is formalin and why is its leakage dangerous?

Formalin is a formaldehyde based chemical solution dissolved in water. It is used in the preservation of biological samples in medical laboratories and in the manufacture of plywood, glue and other industrial products.

Contact with this chemical may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and skin. Its vapor, if inhaled, can cause cough and respiratory problems.

According to experts, excessive exposure to the chemical can increase health risks. Therefore, in such accidents, going near the spot without safety equipment can be dangerous.

Affected people are advised to stay away from the chemical, move to a safe place with clean air, and wash with clean water in case of contact with eyes or skin. In case of severe difficulty in breathing, it is important to seek immediate medical help.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognizance

Taking cognizance of the incident, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the officials to intensify relief operations and ensure the safety of the affected people.

According to DCP North Amit Kumar Anand, as soon as the information was received, teams of police, fire brigade, SDRF and NDRF reached the spot.