Mysuru: Chlorine gas leak at water filter house in T Narasipura creates panic; residents demand relocation of plant

MYSURU: Nearly a year after chlorine gas leaked from a cylinder at a water filter house managed by the city Municipal council, T Narasipura, a similar incident on Friday triggered panic among local residents.
The water filter house is located in the heart of T Narasipura town and is adjoining the thickly-populated Triveni locality. Residents were relocated to government guesthouses and lodges as a precaution on the night. They returned early on Saturday.
Taluk officials confirmed that it was a chlorine gas leak and no one was seriously injured. Health officials claimed about 12 persons including children had come with complaints of eye irritation and difficulty in breathing and were treated as outpatients at taluk hospital. "There was no hospitalization of residents due to chlorine gas leak," district health officer KH Prasad stated.
Residents of Triveni layout are now living in fear as this is the second incident in a span of a year. Last year, in the month of November, similar incident was reported and fire and emergency service personnel attending complaints developed health issues. Friday's incident was severe as residents experienced a pungent smell in the locality.
Shivaprasad, a social activist, claimed this is the second incident in less than a year and it has created panic among dwellers. "It reminds us about the Bhopal tragedy which claimed hundreds of lives and we are now living in fear. We urge officers to relocate the plant from residential areas for the safety of residents."