CHENNAI: Several families living within a 1km radius of the Perungudi dump yard, where a fire that began on Wednesday and continues to rage, moved out temporarily on Thursday, saying the toxic fumes were causing respiratory issues, throat irritation and cough. Residents of some Velachery localities also faced power cuts on Thursday as the fire had damaged some overhead electrical lines.
N Karthikeyan, employee of a private bank who lives within a 1km radius of the dump yard, said he could not sleep at the night. “My wife and two children had to move to a relative’s house in Porur,” he said.
The fire exposed residents to inhaling high amounts of carcinogens. Another resident Arun Kumar said since he has a 76-year-old member in his family it was risky to be there and had moved to Adyar.
Residents alleged that Greater Chennai Corporation failed to get early signs of the landfill burning. Karthikeyan had shot a video of the landfill emitting smoke on Sunday. The officials were unmindful of it until Wednesday when it turned into a catastrophe, they said.
Responding to the allegation, municipal administration minister K N Nehru who inspected the spot on Thursday said the departments concerned could not have functioned faster than this. “I cannot answer questions based on speculation as to when the flames started. You’re not appreciating how officers are working,” he told reporters.
The TNPCB in an air quality survey near the landfill found the PM 2.5 levels to be at 75 µg/m3 on average between 4pm and 7pm. While the hourly pollution levels are very high, officials said WHO standards 15 µg/m3 for PM 2.5 levels are only for a 24-hour median and that the readings in Perungudi would change by then.
