The first major fire at the dumping ground this year broke out on January 28 that lasted for an entire week.
The toxic smoke from the fire at city’s oldest dump is deteriorating Mumbai’s air quality rapidly besides leaving close by neighborhoods such as of Chembur, Sion and Navi Mumbai severely affected.
The Deonar dumping ground regularly reports fires, often started by errant contractors and the scrap mafia trying to separate iron, copper and other metals from the garbage. Fires are also lit illegally to manage dumping levels. The facility has little surveillance; has no CCTV cameras or guards.
Today, seven out of 10 locations in Mumbai recorded “very poor” levels of air quality. Chembur remained most polluted location since last 2-3 days with an air quality index of 363.
Schools are also shut since Friday due to high level of pollution.
Image Credit: Indianexpress.com