Expired drugs dumped on Kanchi lake bed
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai:30.10.2019
Bundles of expired medicines dumped on a lake bed in Kancheepuram and torched have caused the colour of the water to change. Medical officials are examining the water.
The Vaira Mohan lake, also called Uthiramerur Big Lake, provides water for residents of Vedapayam, Andi Thangal, Kaliyampoondi, Kattupakkam, Uthiramerur, Thriupulivanam, Pennalur and other areas.
On Monday, residents were shocked to see bundles of expired tablets and medicines dumped on the lake bed and in the water. Most of the medicines were antibiotics which had expired a year ago.
With the drugs getting mixed up in the water, the colour had changed. Residents said even cattle were avoiding the lake as a result of the colour change.
Villagers too are avoiding using the lake, spread across about 5,000 acres, for washing and cleaning, fearing that the contaminated water would lead to side-effects and invite diseases.
Some of the drugs dumped on the lake bund were also half burned.
While residents have registered complaints, local panchayat officials are yet to show any interest in strengthening the lake bunds. This prevents rainwater from reaching the lake and instead flows out into the sea.
The bunds were artificially formed by dumping gravel across the lake, allowing the trucks and lorries to travel through, said Lakshmi Nathan of Kaliyampoondi. As these artificial bunds were not removed, water from the catchment areas don’t reach the lake and the water takes a detour to the sea.
RESOURCE UNDER THREAT: Residents said they found bundles of expired medicines dumped on the lake bed and in the water. Some packets were found half burned
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Chennai:30.10.2019
Bundles of expired medicines dumped on a lake bed in Kancheepuram and torched have caused the colour of the water to change. Medical officials are examining the water.
The Vaira Mohan lake, also called Uthiramerur Big Lake, provides water for residents of Vedapayam, Andi Thangal, Kaliyampoondi, Kattupakkam, Uthiramerur, Thriupulivanam, Pennalur and other areas.
On Monday, residents were shocked to see bundles of expired tablets and medicines dumped on the lake bed and in the water. Most of the medicines were antibiotics which had expired a year ago.
With the drugs getting mixed up in the water, the colour had changed. Residents said even cattle were avoiding the lake as a result of the colour change.
Villagers too are avoiding using the lake, spread across about 5,000 acres, for washing and cleaning, fearing that the contaminated water would lead to side-effects and invite diseases.
Some of the drugs dumped on the lake bund were also half burned.
While residents have registered complaints, local panchayat officials are yet to show any interest in strengthening the lake bunds. This prevents rainwater from reaching the lake and instead flows out into the sea.
The bunds were artificially formed by dumping gravel across the lake, allowing the trucks and lorries to travel through, said Lakshmi Nathan of Kaliyampoondi. As these artificial bunds were not removed, water from the catchment areas don’t reach the lake and the water takes a detour to the sea.
RESOURCE UNDER THREAT: Residents said they found bundles of expired medicines dumped on the lake bed and in the water. Some packets were found half burned
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