Industry and mine rich Talcher continued to suffer under intense heat wave in last three days as temperature rose as high as 45-49 degree Celsius throwing normal life out of gear.
Under the impact of sudden rise in temperature, roads wore a deserted look in the town area during noon and afternoon. Highest temperature was recorded in the coal mines area, where the mercury level went up to 49 degree Celsius in noon. To add insult to injury, frequent power cuts have made life unbearable.
After 8 am, life comes to a standstill at most of the places. Markets, offices and other public places witness thin presence. According to experts, massive industrialisation, mainly opening of coal mines and burning of coal by the power houses are the cause of unusual rise in temperature. Huge destructions of forests cover due to coal mining and other industries result in high temperature.
There are nine open cast coal mines here where coal seams are exposed. The vast coal stock yard also absorb the sun ray and heat up the area. Besides mining activities, thousands of heavy vehicles are plying for transporting coal in the mining area every day, which not only cause air pollution by dust emission but also add to the temperature of the area.
The de-graded environment and rising temperature seem to be manmade. Near about one lakh tonnes of coal are burnt daily by Nalco, NTPC and TTPS.
However, no steps are being taken by the thermal power plants to contain pollution and balance atmospheric temperature in the locality, alleged environmentalist Bauribandhu Bej.