Several hospitalised after chlorine gas leaks at water treatment plant in Nagpur

A chlorine gas leak at a water treatment plant in Nagpur shortly after midnight on Monday triggered panic in nearby residential areas, with several people hospitalised after experiencing breathing difficulties, officials told PTI.

The leak occurred at around 1 am from a chlorine gas cylinder with a capacity of 900 kg at a water treatment plant in Godhani village, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) said.

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The gas spread to surrounding residential areas, prompting residents to flee as many complained of coughing and difficulty in breathing. Police evacuated people living within a 200-metre radius to safer locations and cordoned off the affected area.

Several residents sought medical treatment on their own, while others were taken to hospitals by the police, an official from Mankapur police station told PTI.

Fire personnel rushed to the site with two water tenders and breathing apparatus. Staff of Orange City Water Pvt Ltd (OCW), which supplies drinking water in Nagpur, and a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team were also deployed to assist in the operation.

The leak was plugged at around 5.30 am, following which NDRF personnel, firefighters and OCW staff placed the chlorine cylinder in a tank containing water mixed with caustic soda, the civic body said.

Police have appealed not to pay heed to rumours.