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Hundreds of residents may have been evacuated in the wee hours of Friday after ammonia began leaking from a tanker which fell on its side at Chicalim, but trees and plants in the area had no means of escape and bore the brunt of the toxic ammonia leak.
Locals from the area have complained that several trees, roadside plants and household gardens have either dried up, withered or wilted on account of the ammonia leak.
A visit to the site revealed that many Ashoka trees along the Airport Road have been burnt or dried up after the ammonia leakage incident.
Francisco Dias of Chicalim said all plants in his garden had either dried up, wilted or developed several black stains, which can be seen on the leaves.
“I am a plant lover and I am extremely hurt by this development. All my plants have withered. The entire colony is complaining that trees and plants have been killed,” said Dias. “If such damage could have been caused to plants and trees that give us oxygen, I don’t know what damage must have taken place inside our bodies following the ammonia leakage. All trees have been destroyed around the SAG grounds,” said Dias.
Other residents feared that the damage may not be restricted to greenery alone.
“According to fire officials, 90,000 litres water was used to contain the ammonia leakage. Where did that water go? It would have got mixed with ammonia and the contaminated water has flown through the gutters, nullahs and into the water bodies. This could severely affect marine life,” remarked a resident.
