Polluted Indian Lake Catches Fire
Umer Jamshaid Published February 17, 2017 | 10:50 PM
BANGALORE, India, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Feb, 2017 ) - Toxic smoke billowed Friday from a lake in India's technology capital Bangalore after the polluted water caught fire, with residents lamenting authorities' alleged inaction over the blighted environment.
The fire erupted late Thursday after a nearby pile of burning trash apparently caused chemical effluents on Bellandur lake to burst into flames. tv footage showed thick grey plumes of smoke envelope the lake area situated in the heart of the city, home to nearly 11 million people.
Local media said it was the third time in less than a year the lake had caught fire. "We have complained to the authorities so many times but they don't seem to pay any heed. It kills me to see my city dying like this," a nearby resident told local television.
Social media users poured their outrage at the authorities for turning a blind eye to the issue. "You can say hell is here when water starts burning," wrote Madhusudan S, a software developer.
"If we don't manage our garbage #bellandurlake incident will happen across cities in India," warned Bahar Dutt, a conservationist. A local administrative official said an investigation has been ordered into the latest fire incident.
"The Fire Department suspects that the fire may have been set off by someone setting fire to dry grass or chemicals inside the lake," a spokesman was quoted as saying by the Hindu newspaper Friday.
"A lot of garbage and construction debris is dumped on the lake bed." Bangalore, once hailed as the Garden City, has been paying a heavy price for its success as an IT hub with its infrastructure and waste collection services struggling to keep up with decades of unchecked growth.
Some 3,500 tonnes of rubbish is generated in the city every day with a government task force stating the city had become "a land of a thousand sewage tanks".
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
Pakistan, Qatar agree to further expand trade, investment ties
Sindh cabinet approves Rs177.5m to strengthen, mobilize various wings of police
Faisal Karim Kundi takes oath as new KP Governor
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Chaudhry seeks more vibrant ..
Tahaffuz Manzil Foster Home providing care & support to homeless children
PCB proposes April 7 -May 20 window; tweaks in rules for HBL PSL 2025
Field hospitals now operational across Punjab: Azma Bukhari
More Stories From World
-
Reus begins farewell tour while Bayern stumble in Stuttgart
17 minutes ago -
Real Madrid La Liga title win in numbers
37 minutes ago -
Real Madrid clinch Liga title after Girona beat Barca
57 minutes ago -
Spain and Argentina at loggerheads in diplomatic spat
1 hour ago -
Narvaez in the pink after foiling Pogacar to opening Giro stage
1 hour ago -
Scholz says attacks on deputies 'threaten' democracy
1 hour ago
-
Narvaez in the pink after foiling Pogacar to opening Giro stage
2 hours ago -
Death toll in southern Brazil flood rises to 58
2 hours ago -
Real Madrid put one hand on title with Cadiz win
2 hours ago -
London mayor Khan wins historic third term as Tories routed in local polls
2 hours ago -
Verstappen cruises to sprint race victory at Miami Grand Prix
2 hours ago -
Verstappen wins sprint race at Miami Grand Prix
2 hours ago