Villagers complain against stagnating effluents in Erode

Coimbatore: Residents of Ezhumathur have petitioned Modakurichi taluk officials in Erode district saying that liquid effluents released from a private spinning mill in the area had become a nuisance and a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

The petition said, "The effulents released from the mill on the Ananthampalayam-Pasur Road was stagnated after a canal which used to carry them was closed for an unknown reason. The effluents without a place to drain have now become a small pond. The effluents release bad stench that affects residents and regular commuters travelling by the stretch," the petition said.

Residents say they have been noticing an increase in the number of mosquitoes since the rains had began in June. "They come swarming into our houses every evening and often bite our children. We are living in constant fear of getting dengue," said the petition. The residents threatened to carry out a protest if the release of effluents was not stopped immediately.

However, a health department official said dengue mosquitoes breed on fresh water and are mainly active during the day. "People who see garbage piling up or sewage stagnating which attract culex mosquitoes or other mosquitoes fear that there is a threat of dengue," he said.