Brahmapuram fire | Govt. advises Kochi citizens to remain indoors as fire smoulders into third consecutive day
The Hindu
The Kerala govt. also directed hospitals to prepare for mass admission of patients with respiratory distress
A crisis meeting chaired by Chief Secretary V.P. Joy has urged citizens to stay indoors and ordered hospitals to prepare for emergency admission of patients with respiratory distress as the three-day-old smouldering fire at the expansive garbage storage yard of the Brahmapuram solid waste treatment plant in Kochi fuelled intense public anxiety about the severe air pollution and its worrying public health fall-out.
The meeting, attended by Central government officials and chemical fire experts late Saturday, also expressed deep concern about the public health implications of the large-scale release of dioxins from the burning plastic into the atmosphere, overwhelming large swathes of the metro city and further exacerbating its relatively poor air quality index.
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For one, the government has advised non-essential establishments in Kochi, including shopping malls, to close for the day to keep people indoors.
The administration will likely extend the advisory to the coming weekdays if the garbage heap continues to smoulder.
It has counselled outdoor sports and walking enthusiasts to remain indoors.
The administration also closely monitored hospital admissions, especially those with respiratory trouble. It has asked hospitals to stock-upon medical oxygen and ensure sufficient beds in intensive care units.