Toxic smoke chokes residents as fire burns Matuail landfill
On Monday morning, Jatrabari resident Sirajul Islam was crossing a road when his eyes began to burn. The air was thick with smoke, which only intensified as he approached Matuail.
Later, he discovered that the source of the pollution was the Matuail landfill, where waste had been burning for over a month.
"For several days, I have been witnessing smoke in my house in Jatrabari after evening. But I could not detect the reason until now. I came to know that this smoke was coming from the Matuail landfill. The smoke causes a burning sensation on my eyes and face. Sometimes it is difficult to breathe after evening," he told The Business Standard.
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Sirajul is not alone. Residents in such areas as Matuail, Jurain, Jatrabari, Kajla, Bibi Bagicha, Dayaganj, Golapbag, Dhalpur, Sayedabad, Maniknagar and their surrounding areas have been suffering from toxic smoke.
The toxic fumes are a result of fires breaking out in large sections of the Matuail Sanitary Landfill. Managed by Dhaka South City Corporation, the 181-acre waste dump receives about 3,500 tonnes of waste daily.
A recent visit to the landfill revealed large piles of waste burned to coal, with black smoke still rising. Flames flickered among unburned heaps, and even newly dumped waste was smouldering.
Mamtaz Begum, a plastic collector, said fires break out every winter but have spread further this time. "I leave in the evening, and there is no fire. By morning, it is burning again," she said.
Although firefighters have intervened twice, the fire continues to smoulder in different spots. The city authorities claim it is difficult to fully extinguish the flames.
Dhaka South's Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md Mahabubur Rahman Talukder, also acknowledged the challenge.
"We are worried about the matter, but it is not possible to control the fire inside such a large area. We have discussed the matter with senior officials and the environment adviser. We are working towards a quick solution. But it will take some time."
Pointing to resource constraints, he said, "Our main problem is that we need at least 10 heavy excavators to level the amount of waste that comes in every day, but we only have 2-3. That is why we cannot pile the waste properly. Besides, it is very difficult to control the scattered fires that occur mostly due to methane gas in the landfill during the dry season."
Fires break out at the waste dump every year, but this time they are occurring more frequently, he said, adding that burning cigarette butts thrown by rag pickers could also be a contributing factor to the flames.
Md Nuruzzaman, assistant engineer of the Waste Management Department, said, "When the fire broke out a month ago, we extinguished it with the assistance of the fire service. After that, the fire started again intermittently in different places. "
Even last Saturday, the fire service personnel extinguished the fire. "However, it is now largely under control. Hopefully, everything will be fine if there is heavy rain," he added.
Rising health concerns
Many living in the area have reported respiratory problems, with hospitals recording a rise in the number of patients suffering from shortness of breath, flu and inflammation of the respiratory tract. Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable.
The Institute of Child and Mother Health (ICMH) in Matuail has seen a surge in cases.
Its director, Dr Md Mozibur Rahman, reported that the hospital previously admitted 8 to 10 respiratory patients daily, but the number has recently risen to about 15.
"Currently, 52 patients remain admitted, which was below 40 a few days ago. Pregnant women and children are at high risk," Dr Rahman said.
He urged residents to take precautions.
"Use masks when going outside and keep doors and windows closed when smoke is visible. When the amount of smoke increases, those areas should be avoided."
He added that pregnant women, children and the elderly should be kept away from harmful smoke.
Residents farther away from the site are also struggling. Hanufa Begum of Sayedabad, two kilometres from the landfill, said the smoke worsens every evening, aggravating her respiratory issues.
"The doctor told me not to go outside, but that is impossible," she said, urging the city corporation to act.
Environmental impact
Environmental experts have warned of the long-term risks of the burning wastes.
According to Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, chairman of the Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies, "Such incidents at the Matuail landfill happen every year. And the air quality in this area remains above AQI 300 most of the time. The massive burning of waste this time has affected the air quality of about 8-10 kilometres around the area."
He added that burning plastic and other harmful solid waste emits toxic gases such as ammonia, carbon monoxide and other hazardous pollutants.
"These gases, when inhaled, may not cause immediate major problems but put people at long-term risk."
Environmental activists are demanding urgent action. Hasnat Jubaer said, "As soon as the matter came to our notice, we informed the city corporation and the Ministry of Environment, but even after a month, the people of this area have not been freed from the smoke. We want proper management of this landfill and freedom from this public suffering."
Legal experts have also criticised the authorities.
Mohammad Golam Sarwar, environmental law expert and assistant professor at the Department of Law, University of Dhaka, said, "We have many laws and rules regarding waste management, but none of them are properly implemented. Both those who will enforce the law and those on whom it will be enforced are mostly unaware of the law. As a result, our authorities remain indifferent to these cases. Therefore, sustainable waste management is needed. At the same time, the resource shortage of the agencies has to be filled."
He added, "Our agencies, including the city corporation, have to be brought under accountability. Massive awareness needs to be raised. And the matter has to be brought to the notice of our High Court for quick resolution."
