Tue Oct 07 16:53:02 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Fuel dealers in Chennai, India, are preparing for the upcoming northeast monsoon season, worried about potential flooding of their outlets and water seepage into underground fuel tanks, especially with the increasing use of ethanol-blended petrol (20% MS). Dealers are taking precautions like purchasing generators, hiring extra staff, and buying pumps for drainage. They are urging state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) to provide plain petrol during the monsoon to avoid the separation of ethanol from the fuel when water enters the tanks, a problem that leads to significant financial losses. While OMCs have applied sealant to minimize gaps in underground tanks, dealers say that other gaps can allow flood water to get in. Some older stations are taking structural measures, like raising ground levels. Dealers are also focusing on canopy maintenance due to past safety concerns.

**News Article:**

**Chennai Fuel Dealers Brace for Monsoon, Fear Losses from Flooded Outlets**

**CHENNAI, October 7, 2025** – As the northeast monsoon approaches, fuel dealers in Chennai are bracing for potential flooding and water damage to their outlets, a recurring problem that costs them lakhs of rupees annually. The issue is exacerbated by the increasing prevalence of 20% ethanol-blended motor spirit (MS) petrol, which separates when mixed with water.

Dealers are employing measures such as acquiring generators, hiring extra staff, and securing pumps for drainage. “Every year, a few retail outlets in the city get flooded, and dealers end up losing a few lakh rupees,” lamented a dealer from the city’s outskirts. “We have been asking that the State-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) give us plain petrol at least during the monsoon, but to no avail.”

While OMCs have attempted to seal underground tanks, dealers contend that gaps still exist that could let in floodwater. Insurance is available to cover some of the losses, but many feel preventative action is needed. Some older outlets have raised their ground level to combat this issue.

Dealers are also focusing on safety, particularly canopy maintenance, following a past incident where a canopy collapsed due to rainwater accumulation. The OMCs and dealers have been taking proper care when it comes to canopies.

The concerns highlight the vulnerability of Chennai’s fuel infrastructure to monsoon rains and the ongoing debate over the use of ethanol-blended petrol during periods of heavy rainfall.

Read More