Huge clouds of smoke raging from the Brahmapuram waste plant have been choking the city of Kochi for quite a few days now. This has considerably exacerbated health issues among residentials.
Highlights
- Toxic smoke chokes Kochi
- Brahmapuram Waste power plant and ineffective management
- Serious health issues
The Brahmapuram waste management plant in Kochi has been witnessing garbage dumping for the past 16 years. As the name suggests, waste has been treated here since its inauguration in the year 2008. However, the latest fire and toxic smoke have choked the city and fallen heavy upon the residents of the city.
Despite the Indian Navy, Indian Air force, and Kerala Fire Force putting their best efforts to extinguish the fire, the smoke is turning out to be adversely toxic. It has left the residents suffocated since March 2.
The aftermath has a lot to bear upon the residentials. They are asked to keep windows shut and venture out only when very necessary. This has prompted several residents to evacuate the place.
As per India Today reports by a local, It was once a paddy field”, as they climbed up the dumping area of the Brahmaputra waste plant. Now, the 110-acre area hosts Kochi’s trash mountain. And it has been giving out toxic fumes since a fire started there last week.
Although they are quite habituated to fires and smoke, the situation has exacerbated this time. It has made sustaining daily life quite difficult.
As per India Today’s interactions, they met a couple Aswathy and Balamurali living in one of the apartments. They were packing to leave for their hometown, Palakkad as the smoke had become unbearable. “Initially, it was fine, but from Sunday onwards, the smell became too strong. We could not open the balcony or windows. It’s fine in the afternoons but at night, it gets worse,” said Ashwathy.
Some more India Today reports:
Homes with small kids and the elderly have a tough task at hand. Mivara, a UKG student, was busy playing on the phone when we met her at her home. Her grandmother, Sherly, said she was bored as she didn’t get to meet her friends for a week.
The educational institutions in the area are shut till Friday. “She is upset that she cannot go out and play. She starts coughing at night as the intensity of the smoke is high around that time”, said Sherly.
It has not only impacted daily lives in several ways but also instilled a fear of the return to lockdown mode. Several healthcare units have also been installed where respiratory and related ailments are checked by the people. The current condition in Kochi is thus reflective of people filled with plight and despair who dream of clean and toxic-free air someday.
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