Oil Spill stops at Gopalpur Port, near Berhampur in Orissa, Olive Ridleys safe

Berhampur:  In a huge relief to the authorities and environmentalists, the spillage of oil from the Indonesian ship at the Gopalpur Port near Berhampur city in Orissa, finally came to a halt.

It has been confirmed that the nesting site of Olive Ridleys near the port in Rushikulya rookery is safe and there is no danger to the rare Olive Ridleys.

On Monday evening, a barge lost control due to rough weather and hit the Indonesian ship MV Malavika anchored near the Gopalpur port. That resulted in oil spillage.An oil coat was found spread over a seven km area off the beach – just 200 metres from the site of the eggs,

The Engineers made all efforts to transfer the oil from the damaged unit. About 7,000 litres of oil poured into the sea before they could stop the spillage. The water and sand were blackened by the oil spillage.

Gopalpur port director said the situation is under control with both port and Coast Guard personnel working to stop any oil spill. The entire fuel oil from the ship was transferred to a tanker within an hour.Efforts are on from the authorities, the local people and nature lovers to purify the water and remove the oil from the sea.

Source: Breaking News