Emergency mock drill at MRPL tests readiness of authorities

Mangalore, December 5: An off-site emergency mock drill was conducted at Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) on Tuesday by the company in co-ordination with Dakshina Kannada district administration as a part of Chemical Disaster Prevention Day.

The drill was also an attempt to check whether infrastructure facilities owned by the state is adequate to cater to the needs during the course of emergency in terms of facilities for communication, transportation, medical treatment, rescue, reconstruction and rehabilitation.

The drill began by simulating a fire mishap at one of the crude oil storage tanks of MRPL at sharp 11:05 a.m.

The refinery premises at the MRPL soon witnessed number of security personnel in action.

The fire fighters were immediately pressed into service and alarm was given for people to vacate the buildings. The spot was soon presented with fire force of MRPL.

The fire force soon started sprinkling the foam to avoid further spread of fire. Soon the message was spread the 'fire' is beyond control and spreading fast.

By the time, vehicles from Karnataka State Emergency from Karnataka State Emergency Services and fire services of BASF and MCF rushed to the spot.

The security guards closed the entrances and hospitals were alerted about the situation.

People from the MRPL Township and nearby Bala village were evacuated soon.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Dayanad, Chief Fire Officer H S Varada Rajan, MRPL General Manager H P Pai rushed to the spot and oversaw the operation along with MRPL Fire and Safety Security Manager Athul, By 12.35pm, the 90 minutes long exercise got over as the officials declared the situation is 'under control'.

A review meet held after the mock drill and discussed various aspects of the exercise.

The observers lauded the effectiveness of security arrangements and communication system, but raised concern over the role of police.