Bengaluru, 24 Oct

Toxic foam has appeared on roads in Tamil Nadu's Hosur, about 40km from Bengaluru, following heavy rain and water discharge from Kelavarapalli Dam. This released water has adversely affected agricultural lands along Thenpennai River, creating a foul odour.

Rescue teams cleared the foam, which reached heights of about five feet, the roads have been blocked and traffic diverted, police said.

This foam follows intermittent heavy rains in Karnataka, which have increased the outflow from Kelavarapalli Dam. The Met Department reported that Hosur received over 11cm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, raising storage levels in the nearby reservoir. The subsequent discharge into Thenpennai River has led to the inundation of nearby areas and the accumulation of toxic foam.

There is currently no official report detailing the specific pollutants responsible for this froth. However, it is suspected that industrial units in neighbouring Karnataka may have discharged effluents into the river, taking advantage of the rainfall. Officials are investigating the exact cause.

Raghavendra B Pachhapur, a lake conservationist from Bengaluru, said water from sewage-treatment plants in the City often contains toxins, including dissolved metal particles. “This water is unsuitable for human use and harmful to animals. It is the responsibility of the states to ensure proper treatment of water before releasing it, as it affects agricultural land and both human and animal life,” he said. –Salar News