The landfall of Cyclone Michaung brought a fresh challenge for the inhabitants of Ennore, located 25 kilometres from Chennai and the surrounding communities. An oil spill emanating from a nearby refinery, allegedly released into the floodwater, has now expanded to cover an area of around 20 square kilometres, causing significant devastation to the fishermen.
How does the Oil Spill occur?
R L Srinivasan, the President of Kattukuppam Fishermen Co-operative, stated that the culmination of intense rainfall and the discharge of surplus water from the Poondi reservoir had resulted in flooding the Buckingham canal since the fourth of December. At that time, we believed that Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) discharged oil into the floodwater, causing the oily waste to penetrate buildings in Ernavur and other places. Ironically, the failure to promptly manage the oil spill would result in detrimental effects on the delicate ecosystem of the Ennore Creek. The pungent odour emitted by the petroleum will repel fish and prawns in the vicinity.
The more than 20 Square Km #OilSpill in #Ennore #Chennai pic.twitter.com/eKzyNxLojF
— South One (@SouthOneNews) December 13, 2023
People’s Panic Condition
Despite the cessation of rainfall, numerous fishermen cannot engage in fishing due to the persisting odour of oil in the fish catch. Meanwhile, individuals are investing considerable time in removing oil stains from their homes, resulting in the loss of electronic gadgets and essential documents.
The vehicles parked in the area have also been impacted, displaying apparent oil marks on them. Also, streets retain remnants of oil, even as the flood water recedes. Due to the amalgamation of oil and floodwater, the Kosasthalaiyar River endured a significant loss of aquatic life, including numerous fish, prawns, and crabs.
Also Read: Karnataka Sets Aside Rs.5000 Crore For Climate Resilience Project
Livelihood Affected
K. Bharathi of the South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association reported that the boats, engines, and nets owned by the villages of Nettukuppam, Thalankuppam, Ennorekuppam, Mugadwarakuppam, Kattukuppam, and Sivanpadaikuppam have been impacted. Once oil contaminates the nets, they become unusable.
We advocate for the cleaning and restoration of Ennore Creek. He emphasized the need for responsible companies to implement measures to augment the fish population in the aquatic environment.
கச்சா எண்ணெய் கலப்பால் எண்ணூரில் செத்து மிதக்கும் மீன்கள்…@NityJayaraman#Ennore #OILSpill pic.twitter.com/VeNvFUF2Tx
— Bala vetrivel N (@vetrivel1996) December 11, 2023
Double Stand of Union Government
The 2017 oil spill resulting from a collision between two ships on the Ennore shore had minimal impact on the area, as the seawater effectively mitigated most of the damage. However, it is the river that has been impacted. I am uncertain about the duration before we may recommence our fishing activities.
Subsequently, the government took proactive measures to secure compensation from private entities on our behalf. But now they remain silent as they have to provide compensation.
எண்ணூர் கழிமுகத்தில் ஏற்பட எண்ணெய் கசிவின் தாக்கம் 20 ச.கி.மீ. அளவுக்கு இருப்பதாக @IndiaCoastGuard தெரிவித்துள்ளது.
— Poovulagin Nanbargal / பூவுலகின் நண்பர்கள் (@poovulagu) December 10, 2023
தமிழ் நாடு மாசு கட்டுப்பாடு வாரியம் மறைத்த உண்மையை கடலோர காவல் படை வெளிக்கொணர்ந்துள்ளது.#ennore #oilspill #ennorecreek #CycloneMichaung pic.twitter.com/UP2SO5KI6s
Tussle between the State and the Union
The Tamil Nadu government’s Oil leak Contingency Plan, established in response to the 2017 oil leak, has remained unanswered with the Union Government for the past four years. To some extent, the Union Government is also culpable. Had the plan been implemented, the scenario might have been prevented. Perhaps they remain quiet due to CPCL being under the ownership of the Union Government.
எண்ணூர் காட்டுக்குப்பம் மீனவர்கள் நிலை… @PTTVOnlineNews @SundarrajanG @NityJayaraman#Ennore #OILSpill pic.twitter.com/i4Qgh6LwGg
— Bala vetrivel N (@vetrivel1996) December 11, 2023
NGT’s Scathing Comment
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench, consisting of Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana and expert member Satyagopal Korlapati, expressed concern with the level of effort put into preventing the spread of oil along the Kosasthalaiyar river in Ennore. They directed the oil companies and the State government to accelerate the clean-up operations.
#CPCL is engaging local fishers in the #oilspill clean up? The NGT is unhappy with the measures. #Ennore
— South One (@SouthOneNews) December 13, 2023
@chennaipetro @Tnpcbofficial @CMOTamilnadu pic.twitter.com/nRY99IfszY
The tribunal enquired about the feasibility of deploying booms, which are transient buoyant barriers, at a distance of 11.5 kilometres. Furthermore, the court instructed the government to seek recommendations from Kamaraj Port, Chennai Port Trust, and the Coast Guard. The tribunal requested the State to instruct parents against sending youngsters for oil extraction and to furnish essential safety gear to those engaged in the labour.
Response from the Tamil Nadu Government
Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena presided over a review conference on Monday to discuss the situation in Ennore Creek. During the meeting, he instructed the District Collector of Chennai and the Greater Chennai Corporation to count the families impacted by the oil spill accurately.
#OilSpill in #ChennaiRains #EnnoreOilSpill
— South One (@SouthOneNews) December 13, 2023
🛑This is the statement from @Tnpcbofficial holding Govt firm @chennaipetro
🛑#TNGovt holds CPCL liable to compensate for environmental damage and compensate affected families, audit safety of pipes, storage tanks, map & cleanup… pic.twitter.com/pdKHeMIgrc
“Taking note of the report of the Technical Committee, CPCL was directed to deploy mitigation efforts on a war footing basis with necessary men and machinery under expert guidance. The government’s statement requested CPCL to promptly escalate its mitigation efforts and expeditiously fulfil the assigned assignment.
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