One Faulty Valve, Several Exposed to Chlorine: Meerut Residents Caught in Gas Leak
The gas leaked from a sewage treatment plant in Meerut on Tuesday.
By Sakshi
New Delhi, September 16: Several residents near Akanksha Ambience Colony in Pallavpuram Phase 2, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, fell ill after being exposed to chlorine gas. According to officials, the gas leaked from a sewage treatment plant on Tuesday. Soon after, panic gripped the area as people rushed outside with their children and elderly family members, officials said on Wednesday.
After being alerted, a police squad and a fire tender arrived at the location. Police advised locals to stay indoors and cover their faces with masks or handkerchiefs while making announcements through loudspeakers.
Officials confirmed, without providing further details, that several people fell ill after being exposed to the gas and were admitted to hospital.
Cause of the Meerut Gas Leak
According to Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Gangwar, a faulty valve on a chlorine cylinder at the treatment facility caused the leak.
As a potent disinfectant, chlorine is used to eliminate harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and protozoa. It is used during the final stages of treatment before water is released from sewage treatment plants.
"The situation was brought under control in some time," Gangwar said, adding that authorities were monitoring the area. Teams from the municipal waterworks department and Dauraula Organic arrived at the site, inspected the plant and stopped the leak.
Some families locked their houses and left for safer locations amid the pungent smell of gas. Locals were allowed to return only at night, while several others said they chose to spend the entire night at relatives' homes.
