PD residents shocked to find 'black liquid' in monsoon drains near school

 PORT DICKSON: The authorities here are fighting to contain a spill believed to be diesel, which preliminary reports suggest may have leaked from decommissioned underground pipes.

Residents in the resort town here were shocked when they found massive amount of black liquid in monsoon drains near SMK Kg Gelam near here on Sunday (Oct 4) evening, and promptly notified the authorities.

State environment, health, cooperatives and consumerism committee chairman S. Veerapan said several parties, including workers from two refineries here have been helping in efforts to find the source of the leak and to contain it.

Workers working round the clock to prevent the oil from flowing out to sea.

"The state authorities received a report from the office of Seri Tanjung assemblyman around 2pm on Sunday and work to find the source and contain the leak started.

"Personnel from Tenaga Nasional and the Fire and Rescue Services Department were among the first to arrive at the scene to help in efforts to prevent the substance from flowing out to sea," he said, adding that booms were also deployed to prevent this.

The two refineries located in the area belong to Hengyuan Refining Company Berhad (formerly known as Shell Refining Company) and Petron Malaysia.

Veerapan said the Department of Environment has also taken samples from the area to establish what the black liquid was.

Some residents believe the substance may have leaked from decommissioned underground pipes.

Residents reported the matter to the authorities after they found the liquid which was believed to be diesel coming from underground and seeping into the monsoon drain.

There are two power stations located in the area namely Tenaga Nasional's Tuanku Ja'afar Station and PD Power.

However, PD Power ceased operations in March last year.

Veerapan, who was also present at the scene said the authorities have continued work to locate the source of the leak throughout the night.

"Work will continue until we find the source of the leak," he added.

Seri Tanjung assemblyman Datuk M. Ravi looking at work being carried out at the scene to contain the spill.

A Port Dickson Fire and Rescue Services Department spokesman said they received a call on the spill around 6.20pm Sunday.

"When we arrived, we found what looked like crude oil coming out of the ground and flowing into the drain.

"We then received and deployed 12 booms from Tenaga Nasional to prevent it from flowing out to sea," he added.

Booms were deployed to prevent the spill from flowing out to sea.

- star