Kochi Toxic Fumes

The people of Kochi, a city in Kerala, a state in southwestern India, have recently been facing challenges in their city due to many toxic fumes. After the towering Brahmapuram landfill, one of India’s trash mountains, caught on fire, many dangerous heat and methane emissions were released. This fire had to be put out with the help of the Indian Navy and Air Force, representing the severity of the fire through the need for their involvement. Although they helped, many toxic fumes were released of thick plumes of toxic smoke rising high into the sky, forcing the air quality to completely plummet. A thick cloud of smoke and methane gas covered the area, reducing visibility along with the air quality. This event directly contribute to India’s growing climate challenges.

Not only does this severely impact climate change by heavily contributing towards it, the people are in danger and first hand face these challenges of toxic fumes and smoke. Due to the severity of the toxic fumes, local administration has advised locals to remain indoors and use N-95 masks when they step out. Additionally, schools were all temporary shut down to ensure safety from the pollution.

The main reason as to why this landfill caught on fire is to believed to be the failure of official machinery. So, to ensure this will not happen again and the safety of the people, local responses are necessary. Local officials should redesign and enhance the qualities of the machines to ensure its quality to be maximally effective. If there is a continuation of the lack of proper machinery, there is a lack of certainty on whether the people are safe or if this could ever happen again. Events like this are bound to happen in Kochi or other areas if it is not acted upon.

Overall, the Brahmapuram landfill catching on fire due to the failure of official machinery poses severe problems to the world. Lots of pollution has come forth, impacting climate change. Additionally, many people face severe challenges in their every day life. It is important for policy based responses towards events like this to ensure the safety for the future of the population.