The emergency oil recovery work in Chennai’s Ennore Creek area was completed on Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu government announced.
The oil spillage took place on December 4 during a torrential downpour brought on by Cyclone Michaung, and several teams were deployed to clean it.
The work was completed in four stretches, involving nearly 900 people, including trained sea cleaning agencies, along with the support of local fishermen.
Although the oil recovery and mitigation were completed in most areas, deposits of oil in mangroves required a longer period to be cleared, according to the experts overseeing the operation.
Since it is a specialised task that must be done carefully, the authorities decided to shift the entire focus to cleaning oil ingress in mangrove areas, officials said. The Forest Department shall engage local fishermen through Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) resources to undertake oil cleaning work in mangroves with the help of smaller boats using oil boomers and soak pads.
Also, the government team inspected mudflats and the breeding grounds of migratory birds affected by the oil spill. The Forest Department has involved volunteers to track birds impacted by the oil spillage. Four rescue teams will look for birds in need of rehabilitation, including pelicans.