An analytical case study of the oil well blowout at Baghjan oil field, Assam: A human and environmental perspective.

ABSTRACT

The study analyses the oil well blowout that took place at the Baghjan oil field in Assam, India, on 27 May 2020. This incident escalated into a massive fire on 9th June that lasted more than 5 months. The tragedy degraded the environment and inflicted substantial problems on the area's inhabitants. The present study employs the analytical case study approach and various data sources to unfold the disaster and its causes, impact, and response. It also examines the local inhabitants and environmental impact and tries to analyze the event comprehensively. The incident resulted from technical malfunctions and human errors, leading to the relocation of the adjacent settlement to refugee camps amidst the global COVID-19 epidemic. However, it is essential to mention that many households received adequate compensation for their damages. The incident has resulted in the contamination of the air, noise, soil, and water, causing significant damage to the fragile ecosystem and its rare species. The research employs the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index to quantify changes in vegetation cover resulting from the blowout, thus showing the extensive damage to the affected region. The incident shed light on legal and regulatory deficiencies alongside a lack of accountability and transparency within the Oil India Limited sector. Despite the numerous proposals for environmental restoration, it appears challenging to revert to the previous state swiftly. The present study reflects the collective and collaborative action to protect and preserve the environment.