What once started as a concerning blaze of fire in the Korangi Creek area of Karachi has quickly captured attention of locals for its persistence and scope. Initially sparked during drilling operations, the blaze has now stretched into a week-long event, exposing serious gaps in both industrial safety and environmental management. While the immediate risk to life may be low, the long-term environmental and public health implications cannot be ignored.
The cause of the underground blaze remains unclear, and the lack of a clear timeline for its resolution raises important questions about the city’s preparedness for such incidents.
Despite the efforts of firefighting teams and agencies, the fire continues to burn with intensity. Experts have advised allowing it to burn itself out to avoid releasing toxic fumes into the atmosphere, but this approach raises its own set of concerns. The lack of urgency in containing the fire is troubling, revealing deficiencies in Karachi’s emergency response infrastructure.
First and foremost, the immediate priority is to bring the fire under control. Firefighting teams currently on the ground must be equipped with specialised tools and expertise in handling industrial and gas-related fires.
Authorities must also deploy public health measures to protect residents from the toxic smoke, including setting up medical stations and providing masks to those in affected areas. In addition, clear communication and coordinated action are needed to ensure that residents are kept informed about the risks and necessary precautions.
Equally important is the need for stronger environmental regulations. Korangi Creek has long been an area of concern due to industrial pollution, and this fire is merely the latest in a series of incidents that highlight the failure to regulate industrial activities in ecologically sensitive areas.
#Continuous #blaze
Leave a Reply