Blast that killed seven in ASR district leaves 10 tribal families with damaged homes

Around 10 families in Peechumamidi, a tribal village in Pinakota panchayat of Ananthagiri mandal in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, Andhra Pradesh, have been left worried after an explosion involving two vehicles during an alleged fuel transfer on October 24 damaged their houses. The residents said the blast broke asbestos roofs, cracked walls and damaged doors, leaving several houses in a vulnerable condition.

The affected families fear that their houses may suffer further damage during heavy rains or cyclones, because some of the structures have already developed cracks. ASR is among the districts on red alert for extremely heavy rain on October 28, when a cyclone is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast. With limited resources to undertake repairs, the residents have appealed to the government to intervene, assess the damage and extend financial assistance to rebuild or repair their houses or provide new houses.

Korra Jammulu, a farmer from the village, said the asbestos sheets on the roof of his house had broken in the explosion and the walls and doors had also been damaged. He said it had become difficult for his family to continue living in the house in its present condition and urged the government to extend assistance.

Korra Jyothi, another resident who runs a small shop in the village, said the impact of the loud explosion had damaged the roof of her house, making it difficult for the family to live there. The residents said that they were struggling to cope with the damage and were worried about the safety of their families.

The incident occurred at around 8.30 a.m. on October 24, when a pickup vehicle reportedly carrying large quantities of diesel for use by earthmoving equipment engaged in road construction work in the Pinakota region caught fire during an alleged fuel transfer. A nearby tipper was also engulfed in the fire. The police suspect that a spark during the fuel transfer started the fire, which may have spread to an LPG cylinder in the pickup vehicle and caused the explosion.

Seven persons, including a government school teacher, died in the incident.

CPI(M) leader K. Govinda Rao said the blast not only claimed lives but also affected residents living in the vicinity, with the damage to houses adding to the distress of the tribal community.

“The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Paderu authorities may inspect the village and then assess the damage. They should announce financial support for repairing their houses or provide new houses,” he said.