Fire breaks out in Thilafushi waste dump; smoke haze for week
WAMCO said that although the fire has been extinguished, smoke is still rising from the area.
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By
Ahmed Mizyal
Smoke may rise for a period of one week following a fire that broke out in a temporary waste disposal site in the industrial island of Thilafushi, Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) said on Wednesday.
WAMCO said that a fire broke out at the corporation's temporary waste disposal site in Thilafushi Wednesday afternoon, and that the fire was extinguished in collaboration with MNDF firefighters and its employees.
"The fire has been extinguished, but the smouldering embers may light up or release huge bellows of smoke in the week ahead," WAMCO said in a statement.
WAMCO said that the corporation and the environment ministry will further strengthen their efforts to stop the rising smoke from Thilafushi waste dump and to manage waste in line with government policies.
The corporation has also assured that it will work to make Thilafushi waste management facility safe.
WAMCO noted that with the increase in waste management efforts and the large increase in the amount of waste being dumped in Thilafushi, waste is currently being managed in the area between Thilafushi dump area and keywall.
According to the corporation, more than 500 tonnes of waste is processed and baled in Thilafushi every day.
