NEW DELHI: Over 2,000 people, including 1,600 students, were evacuated on Monday after a major oleum gas leak from a chemical unit in Maharashtra’s Palghar district left dense white fumes hanging over a five-kilometre radius, officials confirmed.The leak, which occurred around 2pm at Bhageria Industries Ltd in the Boisar MIDC industrial area.Palghar district collector Dr Indu Rani Jakhar, who was monitoring operations on the ground, said the district disaster management plan was activated immediately.“The situation is being constantly monitored in coordination with all departments concerned. Citizens should not believe in rumours,” Jakhar said, urging residents to stay indoors and follow official instructions, PTI reported.District Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh reassured residents, saying authorities were “taking all possible measures to deal with the situation” and advised villagers not to panic.He said that the smoke clouds have formed over the Boisar town and the locals in the direction of wind have been evacuated. The area has also been sealed out for people.“In the Bhageria Chemicals Company, located in Boisar, an incident of Oleum gas leakage was reported around 2 pm today. District Administration and Fire Brigade are carrying out the operation to control thisgas leakage. The leakage continues. A white cloudish smoke has formed over Boisar due to an Oleum gas leak. Residential and industrial areas located in the direction of the wind are being vacated. Nakabandi is also being done. Citizens are requested to move in the opposite direction of the wind and smoke, head to a safe location and do not panic,” SP Yatish Deshmukh said.Authorities also reported that three people suffered minor eye irritation, but no serious injuries were recorded.According to a press release from the district administration, the leak occurred from a 2,500-litre oleum day tank, releasing hazardous fumes that spread quickly due to strong winds. The resulting cloud affected nearby schools, factories, and residential areas, prompting authorities to evacuate over a thousand factory workers and more than 1,600 students from a local school as a safety measure.Emergency teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), and the Fire Brigade rushed to the site but initially faced difficulty reaching the exact source because of the high smoke concentration.“Due to the high smoke concentration in affected areas, response teams were facing difficulties in reaching the exact location of the leak,” the official release stated.Once inside, chemical experts and NDRF personnel, equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), managed to locate the leak and deploy sandbags around the tank to suppress the fumes, officials added.Authorities said the cause of the leak remains under investigation.The Palghar administration continues to monitor air quality and has assured that there is no immediate threat to residents. Dr Jakhar added that coordinated efforts are underway with various departments to ensure full containment and prevent recurrence.