Application of remote sensing for critical damage assessment and strong motion analysis in the Baghjan oil blowout disaster, Tinsukia, Assam.

The Baghjan oil and gas blowout incident on May 27, 2020, in Tinsukia district, Assam, India, represents one of the most significant environmental disasters in recent history. The blowout, followed by a fire on June 9, 2020, caused extensive ecological damage, particularly to the Dibru–Saikhowa National Park and the Maguri–Motapung Wetland, both of which are critical biodiversity hotspots. This study employs remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques to assess the spatial and temporal extent of environmental damage caused by the disaster. Landsat-8 satellite imagery is utilized to generate thematic maps, including land use land cover (LULC), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and land surface temperature (LST), before and after the blowout. Additionally, Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data is used to evaluate potential surface deformation, while strong motion analysis is conducted to assess ground vibrations induced by the blowout. The results indicate a significant increase in areas of contaminated water (from 3.01% to 11.2%) and barren land (from 0.83% to 14.33%) immediately following the blowout, with a corresponding decrease in forest and vegetation cover. NDVI analysis revealed a decline in vegetation health, particularly in areas adjacent to the blowout site. LST maps show elevated temperatures in the vicinity of the explosion, likely due to the release of methane and other gases. InSAR analysis did not detect significant surface deformation, suggesting that the extraction of subsurface water for fire control did not induce measurable subsidence. Strong motion analysis revealed microtremors with peak ground acceleration (PGA) values below 0.01 g, indicating minimal structural risk. This study highlights the utility of remote sensing and GIS in environmental disaster assessment, underscoring the long-term ecological impacts of industrial accidents in ecologically sensitive regions. Research highlights: Significant damage to forest and agricultural areas due to the oil spill and subsequent fire, which released a range of pollutants, including toxic chemicals and fumes, into the environment was observed. No measurable surface deformation was detected in the study area, suggesting that the extraction of subsurface water did not induce subsidence. Analysis of ground motion from microtremors recorded at the site indicated low peak ground acceleration (PGA < 0.01 g) and a very short predominant period (<0.05 s). The ground vibrations were insufficient to cause structural damage to nearby buildings. The Baghjan blowout caused significant ecological damage, with long-term implications for biodiversity and local communities. However, with the passage of time, the area is slowly recovering, and the damage immediately after the blowout is gradually being restored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]