Alarming: Toxic foam covers South Pennai river near Hosur in Tamil Nadu; environmental concerns mount
PTC Web Desk: A stretch of the South Pennai River near Hosur, Tamil Nadu, has turned into a frothy expanse of toxic foam following the release of excess water from the Kellavarapalli Dam. The discharge was necessitated by heavy rainfall in Karnataka, which led to significant inflows into the dam. The incident has raised serious environmental and public health alarms.
Visuals circulating on social media depict alarming scenes of frothy waves covering the river, foam being blown across surrounding areas, and massive deposits of froth drifting on the water’s surface. The authorities have pointed to untreated industrial effluents from factories along the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border as the primary culprits. It is suspected that these factories used the heavy rains as an opportunity to release pollutants into the river system, exacerbating the foam buildup.
Experts warn that the toxic foam poses severe risks to the river's ecosystem and nearby communities. They say excessive organic waste and untreated industrial discharge have led to a critical reduction in dissolved oxygen levels in the water. Besides causing the death of aquatic life like fish, they also destroy essential algae, compromising the river's overall health. Additionally, the foam carries the risk of waterborne diseases for communities reliant on groundwater connected to the river.
This is not an isolated event. In October, heavy rains and dam discharges led to a similar situation, with froth spilling onto nearby roads and causing disruptions. Emergency teams were deployed for cleanup efforts, but the problem persists. Officials suspect industrial units in Karnataka have repeatedly discharged untreated waste into the water, taking advantage of periods of heavy rainfall.
Hosur news South Pennai River environmental crisis pollution in India industrial effluents
- With inputs from agencies
