New Delhi: Concerns persist regarding the Ghazipur landfill site in Delhi following a recent fire outbreak, with a new study now highlighting the risks posed by increasing temperatures within its layers.
The Ghazipur landfill, known for its vast size and environmental impact, experienced a fire on April 21, 2024, emitting toxic smoke that affected parts of Delhi and raised health worries among residents.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, although landfill blazes often occur due to combustible gases released by decomposing waste.
Each year, as temperatures rise during Delhi’s hot summers, landfills like Ghazipur are prone to fires, contributing to India’s methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas.
Ghazipur’s trash mountain, towering at 65 meters (213 feet), is emblematic of over 3,000 overflowing Indian landfills, posing health risks due to emitted gases and groundwater pollution. Residents near such sites face respiratory issues and other health problems.
Efforts to manage the Ghazipur landfill include drone monitoring by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and experiments to extract methane. However, authorities struggle to cope with the influx of waste, exceeding the landfill’s capacity since 2002.
