KARIMUGAL: The huge waste storage bund on the premises of Philips Carbon Black Ltd (PCBL) has exploded owing to excess groundwater pressure and contaminated the groundwater resources in the area.The huge storage tank having 1 sq m circumference exploded in the wee hours of Sunday as the groundwater pressure increased in the heavy downpour that lasted the whole night on Saturday.Soon after the explosion of the bund the highly toxic Carbon waste from the storage tank began to flow out breaking the compound wall of the company. Within no time the waste water spread in the surrounding area and contaminated the main groundwater resources of the residents.Wells, ponds and the streams of Kadambrayar were polluted in the avalanche of highly toxic chemical waste from the factory.Meanwhile, around 200 rubber trees, (3-year-old) were completely destroyed in the strong flow of the liquid waste through the property of Varghese.As the company is situated in an elevated area the highly toxic waste flowed down and polluted the nearby groundwater resources.According to the locals even after repeated requests from the residents, the authorities were reluctant to maintain the outdated huge waste storage tank, which has been installed around eight years ago.However, according to the company authorities, there was no toxic chemicals in the waste storage tank and it was filled with water only and that it would not affect the nearby ground water resources adversely.The local people have demanded immediate intervention of the Pollution Control Board (PCB) and an early compensation for the damage caused by the toxic waste. “As the highly toxic chemicals got dissolved in the water of the Kadambrayar River, they will soon reach far away places through the waters of the Kadambrayar,” they said.
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