A fire broke out at the Marudhamalai dump site in Coimbatore on Sunday, affecting nearly an acre of the two-acre site. This marks the second such incident this year at the waste disposal area used by Somayampalayam panchayat.
Coimbatore: A fire erupted at the Marudhamalai dump site in Coimbatore on Sunday, marking the second incident this year. The blaze spread across nearly an acre of the two-acre site, a regular waste disposal area for the Somayampalayam panchayat. The area is also known to be frequented by elephants.
According to Somayampalayam panchayat president K. P. Rangaraj, the fire was deliberately started by individuals dumping waste, echoing a similar incident in April this year. The fire began at 2:30 p.m., and Fire and Rescue Services contained it from spreading to the nearby forest.
Rangaraj stated that while smoke persists, it poses no threat. He reported that nearly an acre of the two-acre dumpyard was affected by the fire.
However, nearby residents have raised concerns about the ongoing practices at the dump yard. Vinaya Arul, a local resident, alleges that the panchayat continues to dispose of organic and plastic waste at the dumpyard and sets it on fire to leave no trace behind. "The effectiveness of the trench dug up has deteriorated and the situation poses risks to both locals and elephants passing through the area," she added.
The panchayat claims to have installed surveillance cameras at the site. However, residents point out that no signboards have been erected to indicate their presence, nor has there been any mention of a monitoring room.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in waste management and the potential environmental and safety risks posed by improper disposal practices. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of measures implemented to prevent such occurrences and protect both local residents and wildlife in the area.
According to Somayampalayam panchayat president K. P. Rangaraj, the fire was deliberately started by individuals dumping waste, echoing a similar incident in April this year. The fire began at 2:30 p.m., and Fire and Rescue Services contained it from spreading to the nearby forest.
Rangaraj stated that while smoke persists, it poses no threat. He reported that nearly an acre of the two-acre dumpyard was affected by the fire.
However, nearby residents have raised concerns about the ongoing practices at the dump yard. Vinaya Arul, a local resident, alleges that the panchayat continues to dispose of organic and plastic waste at the dumpyard and sets it on fire to leave no trace behind. "The effectiveness of the trench dug up has deteriorated and the situation poses risks to both locals and elephants passing through the area," she added.
The panchayat claims to have installed surveillance cameras at the site. However, residents point out that no signboards have been erected to indicate their presence, nor has there been any mention of a monitoring room.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in waste management and the potential environmental and safety risks posed by improper disposal practices. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of measures implemented to prevent such occurrences and protect both local residents and wildlife in the area.