The ongoing work at Baghjan oil well capping site in Tinsukia has been affected for the second time due to floods.

Oil India Limited (OIL) set a deadline to control the flame on July 7 but floods once again disrupted the ongoing work at the Baghjan oil well capping site.

The site at Baghjan has been inundated with flood waters.

All roads connecting Baghjan have been submerged by flood waters restricting the vehicular movements.

The debris lay down area including the approach road has also been submerged.

The working areas at the blowout well site and water pump station No 2 in the river bank have been submerged by flood waters.

“The water level at pump station no 1 has risen considerably. One of the barges is rocking under the influence of heavy water current. Keeping in view of this and considering the safety aspects, activities at site have been suspended,” an OIL official said.

“Only security and fire personnel are at the site. Six loads of debris were transferred yesterday from the debris lay down area to Duliajan,” the official said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, river Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark and the water of the river is flowing towards Maguri Beel and flooding the Baghjan area.

Both the roads to the Baghjan oil well site are relling under flood waters.

Heavy rains in the last few days led to the rising water level of river Dangori, the source of water deluge system for the debris removal operation.

“We have taken assistance from Indian Army for placing some of their materials on the well plinth for further strengthening of the same for ease of movement of heavy vehicles at site. Due to the flood our work was hampered for second time,” the OIL official said.

Due to stoppage/blockades, there was production loss of 452 MT of crude oil and 1.51 MMSCM of natural gas as reported on July 10.

Operations were disrupted in 11 oil wells and 5 gas wells. Cumulative production loss since May 27, 2020 due to bandhs and blockades is 10860 MT crude oil, 17.39 MMSCM of natural gas.

“Surveys for assessment of damage for compensation by the committee constituted by district administration are in progress. Damage assessment for 547 families has completed in Doomdooma Circle and 696 families in Tinsukia Circle till July 10. Total number of families assessed is 1,243 till date,” an OIL statement said.

Avik Chakraborty is Northeast Now Correspondent in Dibrugarh. He can be reached at: [email protected]