Erode residents report industrial waste contamination in water

Residents in Kolathupalayam and nearby areas have raised concerns about water contamination. They say the water in their farm wells and local channels has changed color due to industrial waste dumping. On Thursday, locals noticed the issue and quickly alerted Erode Corporation. They believe that lorries carrying waste from a nearby steel plant dumped the material in a channel, leading to contamination. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board intervened after officials were contacted. They visited the site and collected water samples for testing. Local police also took action and seized two lorries involved in the dumping. The drivers and cleaners are currently being questioned. Residents explained that the contaminated water from the channel flows through their area, affecting nearby Kanirowther Lake and eventually entering the River Cauvery. They are demanding urgent action to remove the toxic substances from their water sources, as this water is crucial for their farming and other uses.