Kerala floods: 280 fuel pumps, 279 LPG distributors submerged

THRISSUR: The oil industry has come out with disturbing details about the crisis being faced in the fuel sector in flood-ravaged Kerala.


Out of the total 2020 fuel pumps in the state, and 280 are totally submerged in floodwaters.

There are 610 LPG distributors in the state of which 279 are totally submerged.

However, the officials of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)assured that fuel supply position including LPG supply are adequate in the state. But the industry is facing challenges of transportation and in the operational front, as well as in mobilization of personnel.

Pointing out that fueling is an electrical operation, the officials said the oil companies are not in a position to operate the submerged pumps.

"Wherever feasible water is being pumped out and in close coordination with regulatory authorities, the fuel pumps are being put back into operation," a spokesperson for the IOCL said.

According to them, distributors and delivery personnel are wading through knee-deep water to deliver LPG cylinders on foot. In many places, cylinders are being roped together in water and brought to small vans to be taken to godowns.

"It may be noted that 528 fuel pumps and 120 LPG distributorships in the state are not reachable to deliver MS (petrol) or HSD (Diesel), or Indane cylinders- as roads are inoperable due to landslides and flood," she said .

According to her, the oil companies are operating control rooms. There is nearly seven-days fuel stock coverage for MS and HSD, SKO (Kerosene) and LPG (bulk) in the state. ATF (aviation fuel) is being delivered for aerial sorties for survey and relief operations on the spot in close coordination with defence and state machinery.

She emphasized that the oil companies are making every effort to operate fuel pumps and LPG distributorships without compromising safety.

Stocks are being sourced from neighbouring states- TamilNadu and Karnataka, and even from Hyderabad. Alternative routes and transporting modes are being explored to reach the fuel to distributing outlets, if the main roads not motorable due to floods or other forms of blocks like landslide.