Oil spill in Mettur cleaned up, but concerns over impact on birds remain

Cleanup of oil spill at Mettur Thermal Power Station raises concerns over impact on local bird species.

Even as authorities from the Mettur Thermal Power Station have said that the cleanup of oil spill at Mettur has been completed, ornithologists have raised concerns over the impact of the spill on birds.

The incident had already caused distress among local bird species, the ornithologists pointed out.

Moreover, sources on the ground contended that there were still some areas in need of attention. The spill occurred on the Cauvery surplus water stream on December 19, following the explosion of a bunker at the Mettur Thermal Power Station. Flammable Heavy Fuel Oil got mixed with stagnant water. It was a cause for concern as Cauvery River in the stretch downstream of the Mettur Dam is the primary drinking water source for several villages, towns, and cities.

The spill was discovered by locals on December 20. Sources said that initially, district officials and authorities of the Thermal Power Station were uncertain of how to respond. While Tamil Nadu has a State Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan, which was finalised after the Ennore oil spill in December 2023, there was no specific plan to deal with such incidents in freshwater systems.

The plant had roped in fishermen to assist with the cleanup. Notably, the State Disaster Management Authority did not intervene.

A total of 27 tankers, with a capacity of 4,000 litres each, were pressed into service to remove the sludge. Additionally, around 120 bundles of paddy straw were used to absorb and remove the slick.

The Salem Ornithological Foundation (SOF) confirmed that oil slicks were affecting various species. As of Sunday, at least 35 pond herons, two purple herons, three grey herons, and several little cormorants were affected. Their feathers became oil-stained, affecting flight.