A major explosion occurred at Rig No. 147 of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), located in Bhatiyapara under the Rudrasagar oil field in Assam’s Sivasagar district. The blast, which happened on Wednesday, was reportedly caused by a sudden malfunction or technical fault, though the exact reason is yet to be officially confirmed. The rig is said to be operated by a private contractor, SK Petrochemical.

The explosion led to a high-pressure leak of natural gas, creating a deafening hissing sound that was reportedly heard as far as four kilometers away. This unusual and alarming sound triggered widespread panic among residents of nearby villages. Many frightened villagers, fearing a potential escalation or a chain of secondary explosions, quickly evacuated their homes and moved toward safer areas. The situation was particularly tense in the Bari Chowk area of Bhatiyapara, where the blast’s impact was most prominently felt.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and fear, as people rushed to evacuate with whatever belongings they could carry. Local roads saw a sudden influx of people, and there was a heightened sense of urgency to escape the vicinity of the rig. Emergency alarms were raised immediately after the explosion, prompting swift action from disaster response teams.

Multiple firefighting units from nearby locations were dispatched to the scene. Emergency services, including personnel trained to handle gas leaks and fire hazards, worked tirelessly to bring the situation under control. Their primary focus was on containing the gas leak to prevent any further risk of ignition or harm to the public and environment.

Despite the severity of the situation, as of now, no casualties or injuries have been officially reported. However, authorities have been cautious in releasing information until a detailed assessment is completed. The area surrounding the rig remains cordoned off, and only emergency personnel are allowed access.

Local administration and ONGC officials have not yet issued a public statement regarding the root cause of the explosion or the scale of the damage. Preliminary investigations are expected to begin once the site is fully secured and declared safe for entry by technical experts.

Meanwhile, the incident has raised concerns about industrial safety protocols and oversight, especially in high-risk zones like oil and gas rigs. Environmental activists and local residents have called for a transparent inquiry and better preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future.

In summary, the Bhatiyapara rig explosion has caused serious alarm among locals and drawn attention to emergency preparedness in Assam’s oil fields. While timely intervention by emergency teams helped prevent further disaster, the incident underscores the need for rigorous safety standards and accountability in the handling of hazardous industrial operations.