Many residents of villages surrounding NSL Sugars, where a digester exploded spilling around 80 lakh litres of distillery spent wash on its premises on November 21, are complaining of skin-related ailments.
The hazardous spent wash contaminated nearby fish ponds, river Shimsha, the canals and low-lying areas, besides spreading over vast areas of farmlands.
Though a massive exercise is on to clear the water bodies as well as to educate the people against visiting the spent-wash contaminated areas, many have visited the “prohibited areas” and developed skin allergies, according to the residents of Chikkonahalli, Ane Doddi, and surrounding areas. Some of them had complained of burning sensation in the eyes and giddiness on the day of the blast.
On Thursday, a group of villagers staged a flash protest near the sugar mill urging it to clean the affected areas as soon as possible.
Officials concerned admitted that they have “heard about such developments” and would initiate preventive measures in the affected areas.
“We have been taking measures against an outbreak of any major health issue,” M. Nagaraj, District Health Officer, Mandya, said.
Speaking to The Hindu, the officer claimed that ensuring the health and safety of the villagers was the priority of the department. Health Department staff have been camping in Chikkonahalli since the blast.
A temporary health centre has been set up at Chikkonahalli. The people were warned against using tap/borewell and canal waters, and measures were initiated to supply 20-litre water cans, Mr. Nagaraj said.
Meanwhile, the district administration has banned the locals from using the Shimsha water for domestic, commercial, agriculture and other purposes.