Mangalore: Leakage of chlorine from the tonners maintained at water pumping stations at Mangalore, could cause suffocation and irritation. Heavy leakage is dangerous to life. 

When leaked, chlorine should be absorbed using a brine solution. A reserve of masks, hand gloves and brine solution should be maintained.

This is the bare minimum precaution that must be maintained according to K.G. Nanjappa, Deputy Director, Factories, Boilers, Industrial Safety and Health. Currently the MCC did not have them. He said that though the civic body, in the previous two meetings, had been asked to take the required measures, no action has been taken.

Shockingly, the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) does not have any plan in place to absorb leakage, if any, from its chlorine tonners (long cylinders) at its three drinking water pumping stations.

The fact came to light at the district disaster management meeting headed by Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim here on Thursday October 16.

The meeting was informed that on an average 3,600 kg of chlorine in stock (in tonners) at its high lift water pumping station in Thumbe. Its pumping stations at Bendoorwell and Panambur had about 900 kg of chlorine in stock.

Ibrahim directed the MCC to have a proper disaster management plan ready in a month.

Nanjappa said there were 11 major hazardous industrial units in the city which could cause disaster. It included a chemical and fertiliser unit, petroleum and liquefied petroleum gas units. They have been asked to have mock drills in order to be ready for any disaster.