Dumped waste triggers scare in Pondy

PUDUCHERRY: Many people living in Devaki Nagar, Suryakanthi Nagar, Rainbow Nagar, Thiruvalluvar Nagar, all situated along a drainage stretch, complained of uneasiness, vomiting and headache after a tanker allegedly emptied some “unknown” chemical waste into the drains on Sunday morning.As soon as the news spread, people were seen covering their noses with cloths and kept away from the drain.About 100 people were affected by severe gaseous discharge from the drainage, which killed frogs and tortoises in it.They complained of the symptoms and were panicky initially, but according to health department sources and Government Hospital authorities, none of the affected turned out for treatment.Fire brigade personnel were informed as soon as the gaseous discharge from the drainage began to spread. They rushed to the stretch and sprayed water into the drains as part of their efforts to nullify the toxic effect of discharge.A number of affected residents staged a road roko near SV Patel Salai, charging that no one from the health or civic department had visited the affected areas. Muthialpet police personnel rushed to the spot and pacified them. A case was registered by Lawspet police, under whose limit the tanker had allegedly emptied the chemical waste.Eeravan, one of the residents of Devaki Nagar, told Express that people had noticed a tanker emptying “something” into the drainage near a private hotel at Karuvadikuppam as early as 4 am on Sunday. Residents did not react to the situation at that time and only understood its seriousness when their eyes began to burn and many started having bouts of nausea. Many creatures living in the drains, which included tortoises and frogs, started coming out and in some places a few were found dead.The gaseous discharges even affected people staying at Kurusukuppam, where the drainage is discharged into the sea.Medical superintendent of the government hospital V Govindaraj, when contacted, said that he was aware of the development and added that none of the affected had come for treatment.