Chennai Perungudi Landfill Fire: Blaze Under Control But Residents Suffer Due To Toxic Fumes

Peurngudi Landfill Fire: The residents mainly children and elderly persons were put to suffer due to the toxic smoke and several persons temporarily moved out of the area due to pollution.

TN Minister KN Nehru, MP Thamizhachi, Mayor Priya among others at Perungudi dump yard | Credit: Twitter/@KN_NEHRU

Chennai: The ablaze at Perungudi landfill has been brought under control and as a next step civic authorities will hold medical camps for the people residing in the vicinity, said Tamil Nadu Minister for Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply KN Nehru on Thursday. The statement of the Minister comes after families residing in a 1 km radius of Perungudi dump yard complained about throat issues, breathing difficulties and cough.

According to a report on PTI, the fire broke out at a landfill located on the outskirts of the city in Perungudi on Wednesday. As a result, the residents mainly children and elderly persons who faced breathing difficulties among others due to the toxic air moved out of the area.

The smoke also caused hardship to the residents and commuters using the Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam radial road.

However, the cause of the fire is unknown.

Speaking to the reporters, the Minister said that Perungudi landfill is spread across 225 acres and has been in use for 25 years. 

He said, as soon as the fire was reported over 300 persons were pressed into service for dousing the fire. About 120 tankers of water, 12 fire tenders and two sky lifts were used by Greater Chennai Corporation and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board. 

The fire has been brought under control, said the Minister who was accompanied by Chennai Mayor R Priya and GCC Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi. 

The Minister also assured that special medical camps would be conducted in Perungudi, Velachery, Madipakkam and Tharamani. 

Further, the Minister said, the biomining in Perungudi dump yard would be completed in two years and using the scheme the civic body could reclaim 250 acres of the lost waterbody.