Smog shuts down 74 Mumbai schools

Mumbai, Jan 30: A fire at Deonar dumping ground two days ago has led Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to shut down 74 schools run by it for two days, as the smoke from the ground veiled the area causing breathing difficulties.

The schools are located in M-ward where people are complaining about foul smell due to the burning garbage at the dumping ground, a BMC official said. Schools in M-ward including those in Chembur, Deonar, Tilak Nagar, Pestom Sagar, Shivaji Nagar, Mankhurd, Baiganwadi, have been closed for two days (Friday and Saturday), a corporator said.

Deonar is one of the biggest dumping grounds in Mumbai and the amount of garbage is increasing from years leaving people fuming and complaining. BMC schools have a six-day week and are closed only on Sundays, the official said.

Since Thursday, a thick blanket of smog has engulfed parts of Mumbai due to various factors including drop in minimum temperature to 14 degree Celsius, the fire incident at Deonar dumping ground and high levels of particulate pollutants in the city.

According to weather sources, the air quality in Mumbai will continue to remain between 'poor' and 'very poor' in the coming days.

PTI