Toxic smoke envelopes Mumbai as fire spreads at Deonar dumping ground

Mumbai, March 21: Mumbai's Deonar dumping ground in the eastern suburbs of the city met with a fire incident on Saturday evening.

Considered the second massive fire in the area in less than 2 months, the fire has not yet been controlled. Ten fire engines have been stationed at the spot as fire officials try to douse the blaze.

The fire intensified on Sunday evening and spread to 2-3 square kilometers. As toxic smoke engulfed the area, residents complained of discomfort and breathing problem.

Smoke was visible from as far as Vashi bridge till the end of Ghatkopar-Man-khurd Link Road.

The situation was so bad that the government schools in Mumbai's Shivajinagar and Deonar were closed for two days due to thick smog caused by the fire.

Experts and residents complain that lack of waste management policy and crammed dumping yards in Mumbai's municipalities are responsible for the Deonar fire.

Complaining of laxity of the administration in handling the problem, residents say that chief minister Fadnavis had promised to station two fire engines at the dumping ground. However, when the fire broke out, they had to call fire officials to alert them.

OneIndia News