The Puttingal fire tragedy on April 10, 2016 at the Puttingal Temple in Paravur, Kollam, has inspired CUSAT’s School of Environmental Studies to conduct a study to know the groundwater contamination after the tragedy.
CUSAT has invited applications for the post of project fellow in the ongoing project titled, “Fireworks accident at Puttingal Devi Temple, Paravur, Kerala on 10 th April 2016, and subsequent groundwater contamination: A Study of Groundwater Quality, Abatement and Mitigation” at School of Environmental Studies, CUSAT. The project fellow will be appointed for a period up to maximum 3 years.
Anyone who has first class in MSc (Environmental Technology/ Environmental Chemistry/ Analytical Chemistry) can apply before July 12.
About 111 people were killed and more than 350 were injured, including some with severe burns. The temple and at least 150 houses in the area of the temple were damaged by the blast. According to local reports and eyewitnesses, the explosion and fire were caused by sparks from a firecracker being used in a competitive fireworks display igniting fireworks in a concrete storehouse. The temple did not have permission from Kerala government authorities to conduct a “competitive fireworks display”. About 15,000 pilgrims were visiting the temple to mark local Hindu celebrations during the last day of a seven-day festival of the goddess Bhadrakali.
News Source : Times of India / Preetu Nair