The District Collector of Visakhapatnam on Thursday said that the Emission level of a chemical gas from LG Polymers was "really high in the wee hours". Flanked by Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy, the Collector told the press that "it was difficult to even stand" because of the intensity of the leakage.

"By 9:30 AM, the emission level was between 1-2.5 particles per million. Emissions are still on. Only once the level reaches zero can we say that the air is safe," he said.

After the level comes to zero, it is going to take another 12 hours for the atmosphere to "completely become free of the emissions".

It will be two days before the authorities can declare the situation to be normal.

Meanwhile, ANI has reported that 500 kg of Para-tertiary butyl catechol (PTBC) chemical will be airlifted from Daman for "neutralizing the gas leakage in Visakhapatnam".