Karwar: Villagers of Kadra near Kaiga Atomic Power Plant in Karwar taluk panicked after  chemical leaked from a tanker and got mixed with Kali river water. It is also reported that several trees were burnt and aquatic creatures were killed due to the leakage which took place on Friday. Soon after the incident the Kadra gram panchayat asked the villagers not to use the water supplied from a well located close to the spot until a laboratory report is received.

According to sources, the tanker from Tamil Nadu was carrying hydrochloric acid to Kaiga nuclear plant. It is said that the driver had parked the tanker off the road following heavy downpour in the region as a result of which the wheels of the tanker was struck in the mud. All the efforts of the driver to pull out the tanker went in vain. It was towed away with an earthmover on Friday.

It is said that during the operation the valve of the tanker was damaged and all the 18 litres of the hydrochloric acid leaked and flowed into the river. This led to panic among villagers who feared chemical leakage may harm them. The chemical caught fire and the Kadra police rushed to the spot and informed fire fighters.

Forest officials, fire personnel and villagers doused the flames. But the acid flowed into the river causing the death of fish, the sources said. Officials of Kaiga nuclear plant who visited the spot said the tanker had nothing to do with the plant and the vehicle belongs to a contractor.

Kadra PDO Shabana Anwar Mulla said less quantity of chemical has been leaked and the people need not worry. However, for the safety of the people, the water sample would be sent for laboratory. Until the reports come, water release to Kadra has been stopped, she added.

Gurudas Shet, vice-president of Kadra gram panchayat also said that there was not much damage after leak of the chemical. “Still we sent the water samples to Karwar laboratory.

According to officials of Kaiga nuclear plant, it was a minor accident and there was nothing serious.