The district administration, which claimed to have brought the Brahmapuram fire under control on Sunday, has asked hospitals in the public and private sectors to provide medical support to the smoke-hit population.
Residents of Thripunithura and Irumbanam, which are located close to the plant, were the worst hit by the smoke. Huge volume of smoke that billowed out of the burnt refuse caused health concerns for the people in and around the plant site. Several people complained of breathlessness and nausea as smoke covered their homes.
Firefighters worked throughout the day to bring down the smoke emanating from the charred plastic waste, said a communication from the district administration. The waste was churned using excavators and water was pumped into it to avoid the recurrence of fire. The refuse was also covered with sand to prevent any further mishaps. High pressure pumps were used to draw water from nearby Kadambrayar River for dousing the flames.
The district administration assured the people that the situation was brought totally under control. K. Muhamad Y. Safarulla, the District Collector, led the fire control measures on Sunday. Officials from Health, Revenue, Police and Fire and Rescue departments accompanied the District Collector.
A report on the incident will be submitted to the State government within three days. Police are probing the complaint that someone had set the garbage on fire.
Public could contact 0484-2373616 and 2353711 for any clarification on the health concerns.
