JOIN USRTI activist Rajaram Tallur said 'ash rain' was experienced by the people in Udupi on August 3 and 4 according to an expert opinion of Chemical Engineering Department, NITK, Surathkal.
Speaking to reporters, he said that the Pollution Board had collected the samples of the raindrops. According to the report by NITK, 71.43% of the rain comprised ashes and 12.51% had fixed carbon content and only 5.09% had moisture. The district administration should consider the issue seriously and probe into it, he urged.
He said that the district administration should take stringent action against those responsible for ash rain and if not, he will be compelled to file a public interest litigation in the court.
He said that the Pollution Board has acknowledged that it has no proper facilities to check such environment tragedies. He lamented that a thermal power plant is nearby and the Pollution Board has failed to take necessary measures to monitor the danger.
Social activist Dr P V Bhandari urged the public to support the environmental concern. The idea of development at the cost of destruction should not be supported and the district administration should be cautious and take appropriate measures, he said.