http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Need-to-set-up-response-team-to-tackle-oil-spills-says-report/articleshow/36971666.cms
Need to set up response team to tackle oil spills, says report
Clara Lewis, TNN | Jun 21, 2014, 11.30PM IST
MUMBAI: When cargo ship MV RAK Carrier sank 20 nautical miles off Mumbai
in August 2011, the oil slick covered the entire Mumbai coast.
A report prepared by NEERI titled, 'Environmental Assessment of Mumbai
Oil Spill from MV RAK Carrier' states that Juhu, Gorai, Aksa and Madh
were distinctly impacted while Marve and Alibaug beaches showed low
impact comparatively.
Visuals of oil spread areas from National Remote Sensing Centre,
Hyderabad showed that on August 9, the oil slick had drifted towards the
entire shoreline of Mumbai. On August 10, the visuals show it drifting
towards Juhu and other southern coastlines of Mumbai and on the same day
it is seen heading towards Gorai, Madh and Aksa beaches. On August 11,
two patches of oil slick were observed drifting towards Alibaug and some
smaller patches towards Juhu.
The report states that during the first assessment, the oil were found
in the form of tar balls, oil pools, thin layer, oil patches and melted
tar balls. While the beaches were naturally cleaned by tides, locals and
volunteers had made an attempt to soak free oil using jute bags and
clothes, especially at Juhu beach.
The report points out that in this case, due to the absence of clear
information about the movement of the oil spill, the response was
inadequate. "Normally when any oil spill takes place due to accidents,
the movement of oil can take a few hours or a few days to reach shore.
The crucial gap can provide an ample time window which can be used to
coordinate agencies, manpower and movement of infrastructure for oil
spill (or any spill) control and later planning of remedial measures.
Forecasting capability is non-existent at present," the report said.
It also stated that the cost of oil spills, damage assessment and
recovery are done in other countries but not yet in India. It has
recommended the immediate setting up of a response team to tackle such
crisis.
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