Chlorine gas leak at Nagpur water treatment plant leaves several hospitalised

A chlorine gas leak at a water treatment plant in Nagpur’s Godhani village sparked panic and left several people needing hospital treatment early on Monday, officials said.

The leak was detected at around 1 am in a chlorine cylinder with a capacity of 900 kg, according to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. The gas spread into surrounding residential areas, causing coughing and breathing difficulties among residents.

Police evacuated people living within 200 metres of the facility and cordoned off the affected area. Residents of nearby settlements were also asked to move to safer locations.

Several people sought medical assistance on their own, while police transported others to hospitals, an official from Mankapur police station said. The number of people admitted was not immediately available.

After receiving information about the leak, municipal firefighters reached the plant with two water tenders and breathing equipment. Personnel from Orange City Water Pvt Ltd, which manages Nagpur’s drinking water supply, and the National Disaster Response Force were also called to assist.

The leak was plugged by around 5.30 am. NDRF personnel, firefighters and water company employees subsequently lowered the affected cylinder into a tank containing water and caustic soda to neutralise the chlorine.

Authorities continued to monitor the area following the operation. Police appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid acting on unverified information.

With PTI inputs