Firefighters from over 30 teams and navy helicopters are still battling the thick smoke that has engulfed Kochi’s solid waste management facility in Kerala. The fire was put out on the second day, but the region has been covered in heavy smoke for more than a week at this point.
For nine days in a row, poisonous vapours have been emitted from the 100-acre rubbish dump yard. The spread of the hazardous fumes is caused by ongoing smouldering fires in two areas of the dump. Bulldozers sweep out layers of trash as firefighters squirt water at it nonstop.
Students from the engineering department Anjali and Naurin claimed the stink has been a nightmare 24 hours a day at a women’s hostel 1.5 km from the dumpyard.
“It was choking. We wore masks as we slept, “Anjali recounted. “Concerned are my parents. They desire my return. My departure is tomorrow “Naurin tacked on.
Vian, an engineering student at a college close to the landfill, has moved back to his birthplace of Thrissur in the Keralan state. “It resembled a smokey blanket. Inability to breathe “He informed NDTV thereafter.
The situation’s long-term effects remain unknown to experts. Physicians and health professionals have stated that the carcinogenic vapours have the potential to lead to lung disease, cancer, kidney problems, and infertility.
Senior doctor at Rajagiri Hospital, Dr. Rajesh V, said “The brain might potentially be impacted by this. Along with producing cancer, it may also impair one’s ability to think clearly.”
Within a 15 km radius of Brahmapuram, the hazardous gases are now also harming people in Kochi city.
A resident of Kochi’s IT hub Kakkanad named Nipu Cherian expressed concern that the toxic smoke could eventually cause major health problems for a large number of city dwellers. To avoid the fumes from burning plastic, rubber, and metal, Donna, his wife, relocated to Wayanad, which is roughly 250 miles distant.
The potential effects on agriculture worry Susha Saju Thomas, a teacher. Plastic will make its way into the surrounding river and the ground as water is pushed to put out the blazing trash. “The crops and the food we eat will be impacted by the hazardous wastes leaking underground. It’s ominous “She spoke.
Despite the fact that the fire has been out for nine days, the administration has not yet made the scientific information on the toxicity levels public. The only advice the state administration has provided thus far is to wear a mask and stay inside.
NDTV was told by Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev that “No significant incidents have yet been documented. The health department is looking at the effects on health. The local bodies and self-government department is in charge of this landfill. There will be consequences for whoever did this.”
N S K Umesh, the district collector, said: “By Sunday, we should be able to put out the fire completely. The air quality index, which has decreased from 400 to 112, will shortly reach a level around 50.”
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