Heatwave bakes people of Paradip due to a garbage fire

People in Paradip town are already suffering from a scorching temperature, and their summertime problems have been made worse by the widespread burning of waste in dumpyards around the area.

 

The previous several days have seen the burning of garbage in the dumping yards in Nayabazar, Madhuban, Atharbanki, Baliplot, and Sandhakuda, which has raised the temperature in the surrounding districts. It takes four to five days to put out these flames, which are often started by the sanitation workers.

Additionally, the locals that live close to these garbage sites are experiencing pollution and health issues due to the odors from the burning rubbish. The people who live in government housing, slums, and on the grounds of various companies are the most affected.

According to sources, the Paradip municipality gathers around 60 tonnes of rubbish every day from 19 wards, stores it in different places, and then transports it to the approved disposal yards.

Local Sunakar Behera expressed irritation over the rubbish burning continuing despite repeated complaints, saying that last week’s 38 degree Celsius temperature record was broken in Paradip. The record had stood for 35 years. He went on, “We want the highest authorities to get involved in this and put an end to this behavior right now.

Environmentalists in the area said that at the height of summer, the smoke from burning plastic and polythene is harming the air quality and making inhabitants uncomfortable. Even while the pollution control board has started taking measures to reduce rubbish burning, more must be done to put a stop to the practice.

Abhisek Panda, the executive officer of the Paradip municipality, said that employees of the civic body often set fire to dry garbage, including leaves, in several dumping yards. But because of the heatwave, they have requested that the practice be discontinued.

A committee has been established to keep an eye on and stop the practice of burning rubbish, according to Puskar Chandra Behera, the regional officer of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board in Paradip. The municipality, Paradip Port, and industry have all received letters requesting them to refrain from burning garbage in the summer. Furthermore, precautions have been made to avoid such occurrences in the future.