Many lakes spew foam in Cyberabad
have visited the site to pacify the residents but have done little else.
Mahender Reddy, president of the colony welfare association, said, “Last year the froth came in September or October and people couldn't even come out. If for small rainfall this is the condition, if heavy rain occurs, it is a disaster waiting to happen. Parki cheruvu needs immediate attention. Some environmentalists say the source of the foam is yet to be identified.
B.V. Subba Rao, a lake protection and water management expert, said, “Foam is forming only at outlets and there might be bacteria which is causing it or industrial effluents are causing it. There is a lot to explain about the formation of the froth. Nobody understands the gravity of the situation, which is turning into a catastrophe. In the next 24 hours we are anticipating heavy downpour and it is evident that we are not ready.”
The GHMC has procured anti-foaming agents from the Pollution Control Board. “The culvert is at a low level, so the foam instead of flowing into the nala is entering into houses,” said a GHMC official.
“We’ve procured anti foaming chemical from PCB for the foam to recede. We used the chemical even on Saturday.” lake has lost its natural carrying capacity and is almost dead. Most of the lakes are foaming only at open drains.”
Among the lakes where foam formed on Saturday was Chakali cheruvu. “To repair this lake, the Gopi cheruvu has to be restored first,” Mr Subba Rao said.
The Chakali cheruvu is among the 20 lakes identified for restoration, but not Gopi Cheruvu. The criterion for selection of a lake for restoration is not scientific.
“For Perki lake, the Suraram lake has to be restored. The upper lake has to be restored first. We need crisis management and an immediate action plan,” he said. Many lakes are contaminated by filamentous bacteria which is the primary reason behind the white coating of foam.
He said foam and contamination in the Perki lake was flowing into Hussainsagar. “Further neglect may result in Hussainsagar becoming another Bellandur,” he said.